(Power Metal) [CD] Arthemis - Golden Dawn (Japanese Edition) - 2003, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Alessio Garavello - Vocals: Andrea Martongelli - Guitar: Matteo Ballottari - Guitar:
Matteo Galbier - Bass: Paolo Perazzani - Drums:

Power Metal from Italy via Underground Symphony. A few years back this constellation was a big hope for good quality music, by now it is an at times almost deterrent example for the oversaturation of a scene by inbreeding and most shameless copying. ARTHEMIS' third album, "Golden Dawn", is a) Power Metal, b) from Italy and is released c) via Underground Symphony. Bad cards for the Italians? Potentially yes, but there always are the more or less famed exceptions of the rule.

As Ralf already had been writing about the previous album "The Damned Ship", the quintet somewhat has its own sound and that is something that already gives one some hope. As on that album, the cover of the CD is really great, Jonathon Earl Browser is the name of the artists, we should really keep an eye open for that one, for me as lover of great cover artworks a very good start, but in this department (too) often it is tried to mask more or less weak musical content.

I do not know the two previous albums, so I can only write something about "Golden Dawn" and cannot compare anything, but still opener "Fire Set Us Free" has surprised me quite a bit. Now you will ask why. Well, powerfully driving double bass and a really cool lead guitar shoot at my ear and even though ARTHEMIS also use keyboards and put an emphasis on big catchiness, the keys never push to the fore, nor they shallow down into the Symphonic Speed that had elevated the Italian scene so much and effectively and then just as quickly tore it down again. Everything benefiting from a fat production out of the New Sin and highlighting the demanding guitar work of Andrea Martongelli and Matteo Ballottari, while the rhythm section pushes a lot and high voice of Alessio Garavello thankfully still has enough power to survive in the powerful sound, even though a bit more edge would not be bad, but he is one of the better members of the domestic scene, I can fully agree with Ralf here.

Surely HELLOWEEN find their way into their sound every now and then, especially in the harmony leads (don't get me wrong, not always, only here and there) and in Alessio Garavello's vocals (especially on "The Traveller"), which sound quite a bit like Kiske, but if a band delivers with such passion as ARTHEMIS, then one can overlook it. What strikes is that the guys apparently feel comfortable in the up-tempo, because most of the songs operate there, yet with enough variation in the rhythms not to get repetitive. Very good is the track "Arthemis", with some oriental/Indian atmosphere and rhythm, altogether rather between slow and mid paced before "The Axe Is Coming" swings the axe quote furiously and brings the listener back to reality with a fast double bass breaker. After the balladesque "Golden Dawn" ARTHEMIS also offer us a surprising cover version, "Might For Right" off the "Death Or Glory" album of Swedish Metalians HEAVY LOAD, who do not get covered all too often. Even though some might be surprised by the fact that this is my first contact with a HEAVY LOAD song, the difference to the original sound of the Italians is quite big, yet for a song that is more than 20 years old it still is really good, hehe.

Over the whole playing time the HELLOWEEN influenced elements get more than I would have thought at the beginning, but still with enough class and drive to outweigh that. ARTHEMIS sound Italian, but thankfully not like the generic Sympho Speed of the Nineties, especially the guitar work brings in an own touch. Who generally does not like Power Metal won't get converted by ARTHEMIS in any way, but if you are a fan of this direction, then check out the songs, could be something for you in there.

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