(Power Metal) Saidian - Phoenix (Japanese Ed.) - 2006, MP3, 320 kbps

Yet another Melodic Metal outfit from the Metal Heaven stable. Just where they pick up these big riff, big chorus bands is any one’s guess but fans of ALTARIA, PUMP and BLOODBOUND will be instantly attracted to the familiar often formulaic fist-in-the-air Metal offerings from SAIDIAN.

From the off SAIDIAN do a fine job of emulating fellow Germans EDGUY. Vocalist Markus Engelfried is a dead ringer for EDGUY front man Tobias Sammet. In fact baring a bit more use of keyboards (the band was founded in 2004 by keyboardist Markus Bohr) SAIDIAN could almost be mistaken for them. That will either appeal to you or not but forgetting the EDGUY link for the moment SAIDIAN is full force Melodic Metal. With a killer, industrial strength polished guitar sound the band don’t just burst from the speakers they erupt! If driving Metal with both feet firmly planted in the uplifting choruses and blistering solos field is your bag then you won’t be disappointed with the riff heavy attack of “Fallen Hero”, the all out Metal assault of “Ride On A Phoenix” or the excellent “Crown Of Creation” featuring a certain Jon Oliva.

The obligatory power ballad, the truly awful “See The Light” arrives mid set slowing things down but thankfully normal service is resumed with the Metal-by-numbers guitar riff of “Never Surrender” and the sheer pomp and Rock of “The Jester”.

Certainly not everyone’s favourite genre SAIDIAN and their ilk remain popular and certainly in mainland Europe with their unerring ability of writing catchy hooks and strong choruses. It’s all been applied before by better bands but SAIDIAN just have enough creativity to carve through the morass of Euro Metal to make a concerted stand.

Review written by Chris for www.metal-observer.com

Markus Engelfried - Vocals
Rodrigo Blattert - Guitars
Manuel Glassmann - Bass
Markus Bohr - Keyboards
Klaus Sperling - Drums