(Progressive Power Metal) Signum Regis - The Eyes Of Power - 2010, FLAC (image+.cue+scans) lossless

Signum Regis was founded by the bass player and songwriter Ronnie König in 2007. Signum Regis focuses on melodic metal with neoclassical elements and shredding guitars.

For the recording Ronnie invited guitarists Ado Kaláber and Filip Koluš, keyboard player Ján Tupý and drummer Luděk Struhař. The interesting thing about Luděk is that besides being a great drummer he also is a singer. The position of the main vocalist had still been open at this point. However, it didn’t take too long to come to the decision to invite Göran Edman, a well-known vocalist with a magical voice from Sweden. There is no need to introduce him to the metal fans, because his performance on Yngwie Malmsteen and John Norum albums already became legendary. The recording started with demos, which were later sent to Göran. Fortunately, he was impressed by the sound of the first three songs, which were deliverd to him ("Follow The Light", "Neverland" and "Bright Days Of Glory") and agreed to step in.

The cooperation was tight and moved forward. The first completely recorded songs including "All Over The World", "Neverland", "For Ever And A Day", "Bright Days Of Glory" and "Mountain Haze" were sent to various labels. There were positive responses coming, so from this point, it was sure that the future of this band was open for new goals. Japanese label Avalon/Marquee offered Signum Regis a contract right after hearing the first half of the album in a rough mixed sound. The recording continued and in April 2008, everything was ready for mastering. The recording was done in 2 studios: Ronnie’s private "Vindex studio" in Senec and "Göran Edman studio" in Sweden. All songs were mixed by Ronnie and mastered by famous producer Tommy Hansen in Jailhouse Studio, Denmark. In May 2008, after the whole production process was done, it was time to find a label for the European region. The decision was to start the cooperation with Locomotive Records. The self-titled album Signum Regis will be released on 23rd July in Japan, 26th August in USA, 29th August in Europe.

In January 2009 the drummer Luděk Struhař was replaced by Adrian Ciel, due to the fact that Luděk didn't have enough time for the band anymore. In March 2009 started the recording of the second album...

All drum tracks were finished in summer 2009 and other instruments in Autumn 2009. During the studio sessions, band recorded a cover of Helloween's Sole Survivor.

In 2009, the band decided to become a real live band. In 2009 Adrian Ciel decided not to be a part of a live band and recomended his friends, drummer Jaro Jančula as his replacement.

January 2010 - Jaro became a full member of Signum Regis.
http://www.myspace.com/signumregis
http://www.signum-regis.com/

SIGNUM REGIS surprised me with this record. It is an international band, started by Ronnie König and with the well-known Göran Edman holding the microphone, but with the rest of the line-up based in Slovakia. The band plays what you could call Progressive Power Metal, but with more of an Old School sound, especially regarding production. There are also some influences from Traditional Metal as well as Neoclassical Metal, but they never take over. The bass is strong on this album and there are a few instrumental songs on “The Eyes Of Power." Despite of Edman’s experience and König starting the band, the member that shines the most on this record is the lead guitarist Filip Koluš. His innovative and skilled solos and melodies dominate the music on this album.

The album is a solid product. Apart from the qualitative musicianship, there is also a background concept revolving around contacts between the Persian and Roman Empires during Late Antiquity. The lyrics are even written in a style inspired by sources from that historical period. As you can hear, this band means business.

SIGNUM REGIS is a band I would recommend to fans of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SYMPHONY X and KAMELOT. The music is well-written. Focus is on the guitar-work and an able Power Metal falsetto voice completes the picture. What also reminds me heavily of those bands is that I am never shocked because a song is incredible, but that I am generally impressed overall. Each song structure works well and the vocals and instruments vary so much that you never get bored. I also like that the band has not gone soft just because they have Progressive elements. This is an album that has been made with great care and all the details of the production and the composition are thought through. Maybe that is also what keeps the album from reaching even higher, that the package is so tight that those straying ideas that lead to brilliant melodies and riffs are not allowed to fly free.

This is definitely an album that all Progressive Power Metal enthusiasts should check out and DREAM THEATER fans and ordinary Power Metal fans may also like it. Even if the album will be far from the top of my best of the year list, they have no doubt established themselves as a band with great potential and already solid musical skills and that is much more than I hoped for when I turned it on the first time.
http://www.metal-observer.com/home.php?lid=2

Göran Edman - Vocals (Madison, Xsavior, Vindictiv, Richard Andersson, Time Requiem, Brazen Abbot, Karmakanic, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, Shadrane, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Johansson, Jayce Landberg, Crash the System)
Filip Koluš - Guitar (Vindex, Hard Maple)
Ado Kaláber - Guitar (Vindex)
Ronnie König - Bass (Vindex)
Ján Tupý - Keyboards (Vindex)
Adrian Ciel - Drums
http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=3540258648