Customer Reviews

Sacred Talisman

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are many CDs in this world that take several listens to acquire a taste for. Even some of what become my favorite records go through this process. "The Sacred Talisman" was not one of these records, and it probably won't be for you, either, if you like power metal. The opening riff of the first song, "Destiny Calls" captures the listener instantly, and song by song, "Talisman" never lets go.

I often go through the mental debate as to whether I prefer this record or HammerFall's "Legacy of Kings." If you liked "Legacy" you owe it to yourself to get "Talisman." Each contains some incredible power metal. But, as was the case with "Legacy" I can't really give "Talisman" five stars, simply because this record doesn't display a whole lot of originality or sophistication.

Nevertheless, some of my favorite songs are on here ("The Iron Force" "When Fire Comes To Ice" "Glorious"), and every song is good. Also, the singer, Anders Zackrisson, was my favorite power metal singer when he was with NR.

If you're into the 80's style, sword-and-sorcery bands of power metal and you don't own "The Sacred Talisman," you owe it to yourself to buy it IMMEDIATELY.

i have a new favorite band. sorry maiden, megadeth, and original sabs but youve been topped. what sets this band apart is that you dont have to listen a few times to like it, because your hooked on first listen. destiny calls kicks this cd off and it should be a hit in america, but the majority of u.s is forced to listen to what radio and tv shoves down our accepting throats. iron force is another metal classic, but most of us are too busy picking Korn out of our limp bizkit. ride on another great tune is followed by another great song free at last. these songs are all done in high octane playing and singing. matter of fact the only song that does not kick my 37 year old rump all over the place is eternity holds. this music makes you proud to be a music fan, and i only wish we had the taste of germans, swedes, and the rest of the countries where you dont have to search in a haystack or order imports just to hear great music. the music community is force fed boring regurgitated souds by copycat artists here in the u.s. we may be the land of the free but i also think we're the land of the hard of hearing. i just recently got into heavy metal and believe me these guys leave hammerfall, iced earth in 2nd and 3rd place. rock on and dont be seduced by american music advertising.

There are no epics on this album. There are no insanely progressive tempo changes, and no extremely over the top symphonic arrangements. There ARE, however, 11 slabs of intensely melodic, speedy riffing metal songs. This is only the 2nd Nocturnal Rites record I've heard, and it is clearly the best thus far. Beginning with "Destiny Calls" and ending with "Glorius," each and every track immediately grabs you and demands you pay attention to the hooks before you. Each song is instantly hummable, like an old friend you haven't heard in a while. Fredrik Mannberg and Nils Norberg's guitars work in perfect synchronized harmony with Nils Eriksson's bass guitar, Mattias Bernhardsson's keyboards, and Owe Wullf Lingvall's drumming. Yes, this band defines the word tight.

There is not a single weak track on the album, but as far as standouts go, I'd have to say that "Destiny Calls," "The Iron Force," "Hold On To The Flame," and "When Fire Comes TO Ice" are all simply astonishing works of modern melodic metal. If you're at all a fan of the genre and style presented here, grab this album immediately! If not, well get it anyway and learn to become one.

For fans of true power metal this is a must-have! I stumbled upon this CD quite by accident. Nocturnal Rites were a Death-metal band at one time and I have minimal interest in that kind of simplistic riffing and growling. This, however, is nothing like that. If you like HAMMERFALL, GAMMA RAY, HELLOWEEN, IRON MAIDEN, etc, you will love this CD!

This is simply a fantastic metal album! Swedish power metal band Nocturnal Rites carries the torch of true metal with this outstanding CD. The vocalist Anders Zackrisson is who makes this band stand out, and unfornately, to the best of my knowledge, this was his last CD with the band. Usually, people describe a band by comparing them to someone else that came before them. And that's what's great about this guy, he doesn't imitate Geoff Tate or Rob Halford or other successful metal vocalists. He has his own vocal style. This is one of those rare metal bands in which the vocalist actually sings and you understand every word. Zackrisson shows restrain and class by avoiding the higher octaves that other power metal band vocalists hit too often. He stays in the mid range and holds the notes longer, even when the songs are blazing fast. Very powerful, yet confident and never over the top. And the rest of the band is great too. Melodic lead guitars that ring of classic metal, drums that rip at high speeds and mix double bass and single kick patterns tastefully, and keyboards that are never overdone. What might take getting used to is the ride into battle lyrics. But it's actually a refreshing change from the subject matter of many metal songs. It's actually kind of motivating. I've been a metal head for 15 years and this is one of those rare gems in my collection. Listen to the samples, NOCTURNAL RITES ROCKS!

To be completely honest with you, i was somewhat skeptical about purchasing this cd. i'm glad i did. What talent these boys have! The musicianship is impeccable. i'm a sucker for the classic metal riffage and this album has it. influences are obvious here but make no mistake, they are genuine. like anything else there are going to be critics shaking their heads, just keep in mind these are the same people who think Korn is Metal. i HIGHLY recommend this CD.

I tend to file this among the "fluffy" power metal bands. Good melodies but little real substance. They are not very heavy, more in the style of Gamma Ray, say, than Blind Guardian. Not at all bad, the melodies are very good, but certainly no masterpiece.

i reviewed this cd but it isnt showing. i did not cuss so what happened

Taking a page or two from Hammerfall's playbook, Nocturnal Rites may be churning out typical power metal here, but they are doing it very, very well. In fact, if anything this album is probably better than Hammerfall's _Legacy of Kings_, though the differences are marginal. Elements of Stratovarious and Kai Hansen's work (obviously) can also be heard throughout the album, though as a whole this is not as innovative as either of those two. _The Sacred Talisman_ also proves that Nocturnal Rites lacks the progressive nuances that make power bands like Blind Guardian and Angra, in my opinion, so much better. Even so, this is not an album to go unnoticed. It contains scores of memorable melodies, solid vocals, amazing soloing, and one of the greatest power metal songs ever, "Glorious". Definite negatives would include the consistently short, formulaic songs and the "warrior" metal lyrics -- songs repeatedly written about kings, swords, doing battle, and other medieval subject matter can only be fun for so long. Don't these guys have anything else to write about? Nothing deeper? Nothing less cliché? I guess, taken for what this album is, it is excellent -- perhaps beyond excellent. I can't imagine fans of Hammerfall, Manowar, and other power metal acts not loving this. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it is just another power metal album, and to some extent or another, it all seems to have been done before.

Let's put this into perspective - Nocturnal Rites are not making any excuses. Yes, the lyrics are cheesy, and now we know what the singer of Europe has been up to since singing about Final Countdowns, but this is pure fantasy/power metal at its finest.

Great melodies, fantastic guitar playing (crossing over influences between late 80's Maiden and Malmsteen), and loud in your face type anthems (without the hysterical 'whoa whoa's' that damage Hammerfall). The singer has the strongest of Northern European accents, even pronouncing the 'r' in 'Iron', but all is forgiven for the overall effect of simple fantasy heavy metal. That's where Nocturnal Rites succeed - they follow the power metal recipe perfectly without trying to sway away and make for the trendy crowds at the bar. Even Iced Earth can be accused of losing the plot from time to time - as witnessed in Horror Show, but Nocturnal Rites stick to their guns.

By the way, check out the guitar solo in "Legend lives on" - turn up the volume and feel those goosebumps!