3 [Import]

Armageddon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Dream on
• ASIN: B00006IJ0K
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #572,829 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Gathering Of The Storm

2. Burn The Sun

3. Stranglehold

4. Heart Of Ice

5. Well Of Sadness

6. Rainbow Serpent

7. Winter Skies

8. Final Destination

9. Spirit Kiss

10. The Contract

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Focus On This Project, Chris!, January 1, 2011

By 

OzzyApu (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 3 (Audio CD)

From death metal he switches over to power metal and from there he ends up settling on heavy metal. Bengtsson isn't here to save the day and Lövgren isn't around as backup, so he ought to have something else up his sleeve. Well, if the fact that Chris performs vocals on this album doesn't intrigue you enough, then you might as well go the extra mile and hear this one out. I kept thinking to myself how he'd stack up; you know, the kid from Arch Enemy doing vocals in his own band!? If it was growling he'd have an easier time since many listeners accept a broad range of harsh vocals, but if you don't nail the vocals down right in heavy / power metal then you're quite screwed.

As a result, the little recognition this album received all focused on the vocals, which I must say don't disappoint. Amott's vocals are something you'd expect from, well, someone else. His voice is very clear and melodic, but it's hard picturing it coming from him. In some way, they sound a bit altered, which makes me a bit skeptical. Not saying he's flat-out lying, but after years of Arch Enemy, it just seems unlikely that he's performing the vocals. Anyway, the voice isn't high or cheesy, but very powerful, loud, and firm while sounding a bit boyish. The songs on here are straight up heavy metal tunes that center on the vocals to lead the crew to victory. They have this sing-a-long nature to them that you can't help but follow along with, be it in the car or in front of a city crowd.

Amott handles all the guitars once again, and the tone is stronger than the one found on the previous album. The tone also matches the clearer, more polished production style, but nothing's too glossy. The riffs are heavy while the bass support is deep, groovy, and grumpy. The leads take on the typical, harmoniously positive impression and the solos are the climaxes of the songs ("Winter Skies" being the best of the basic tracks). The formula may get tiring for some, like myself, but the diversity brought on by the vocals keep it lasting right up to the finish line.

Most of the songs are mid-paced or fast, and their simplicity doesn't give this album a whole lot of substance. In fact, it's so sapped of depth that the last album can be described as an ocean full of life while this one is like a puddle. However, the one song that nearly beats half of Embrace The Mystery is "Well Of Sadness." As the longest song, it pretty much encompasses all the soul and resourcefulness one would hope for. The first half rides lightly as a somber, acoustic build-up with Chris' most soulful performance on the album while the bass meanders along closely. Drums I especially love here because they sound very rich and juicy; Daniel takes his time with each hit of the kit, which doesn't have a single fault to it. The song finds itself heading into a more positive direction as the lead progresses in a jazzy fashion before erupting into the most remarkably moving solo on the album.

While not particularly original, the album still stands out amongst its Swedish peers for the vocals alone. With more basic song structures, powerful movements, and receptive vocals, Three manages to be another keeper. It isn't as profound as the first two, but that just means you'll love it in a different way.

4.0 out of 5 stars A far cry from what they used to be, but still excellent, May 1, 2009

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 3 (Audio CD)

What a difference a few years can make! My previous exposure to Arch Enemy guitarist Christopher Amott's side project Armageddon was their 1997 debut album Crossing the Rubicon, so I went into their appropriately-titled third album Three expecting another blast of melodic death metal. Well, Three is still very much a melodic metal album, but there's nothing "death" about Armageddon at this point. I haven't heard the band's second album yet, so I don't know if this change was gradual or sudden, but the difference in styles between Crossing the Rubicon and Three is stark.

At some point Armageddon went from a melodic death metal album to a melodic, not-quite-progressive, not-quite-power metal band. As much as I enjoyed Crossing the Rubicon, I think the band suits the latter style quite well. It reminds me a bit of Brainstorm, Last Tribe and fellow Swedes Tad Morose, but what strikes me the most about Three is that it's what Queensryche would have sounded like later in their career had they not lost their way.

Amott's powerful guitar solos are still present, and they seem better suited to this kind of music. Another key characteristic of Three is the nice use of clean midrange vocals throughout, which really changes the nature of Armageddon's sound. The songwriting is also first rate. It's just a very compelling, very engaging melodic metal album from start to finish.

If you're only interested in Armageddon's death metal sound, Three is definitely not for you. If you're a fan of high quality melodic metal though, this album has a lot to offer. Unfortunately it's not very easy to track down, and commands a fairly hefty price tag.