Customer Reviews

In Thy Power

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

 

 

see, this is what you don't hear enough of anymore. These songs are drawn out about a minute longer than they normally would be because the band KNOWS HOW TO WRITE ORIGINAL SOLOS. Too many of these new power metal bands just write monotonic bass lines and change it a bit, then call that their "solo." Where that is plenty good to have, its not good to drown entire albums with it. (For example, Moonlight Agony does a great job creating a proper balance of the 2.) Cryonic Temple takes back to 80's and early 90's metal. The music isn't anything groundbreaking; they took an older form of power metal and ...basically went in a time warp, wrote an album, then came forward 12 years and released it. The solos are modern and original, the keyboards never drown out the music but at the same time will please fans of atmospheric music. The vocals are far from a Timo Kotipelto; they're much more like the harsher "motorcycle metal" from the Judas Priest and Saxon era. Expect to hear lyrics in the vein of Manowar here. This is particularly evident in anthems like Eternal Flame of Metal.

Anyone who enjoys what power metal used to be NEEDS to get this album. Anyone who enjoys any kind of metal shy of doom metal and black metal SHOULD get this album. The symbolism is broad and anyone can enjoy the lyrics. Even death metal fans will find something they like on this album: Shark Attack.

wish I had time to say more about this album. Hopefully, it'll act as a turning point in metal and inspire more bands to play power metal the way it used to be. Don't get me wrong - I love Kamelot, Stratovarius, Shaman, Dragonland, etc.

hopefully I helped everyone realize that the "eternal flame of [true power] metal" isn't gonna go anywhere as long as bands like Cryonic Temple keep this good work up.

Never having heard more than a soundclip or two of Cryonic Temple's previous works, Chapter I and Blood Guts and Glory, I wasn't sure just exactly what to expect from In Thy Power. Sure, I knew it was power metal, but that covers such a broad spectrum. With bands from Rhapsody to Cage getting stampled with the power metal tag, the genre has grown quite expansive. I also knew that Cryonic Temple claimed Sweden as home, so HammerFall, Lost Horizon and Falconer (amongst others), all came to mind, before ever hearing a note from In Thy Power.

Now, having heard a note (actually, having heard all of the notes, several times), I can say that Cryonic Temple easily stand-up with all of its Swedish brethren. In Thy Power will easily appeal to any fan of the aforementioned bands, but should also find a home amongst the patch-covered denim jacket crowd, as a 1980s true-metal vibe is laced throughout. I hear traces of German stalwarts Running Wild throughout several of the tracks, including "Mr. Gold" and "Shark Attack." And a dose of Iron Maiden's Steve Harris-style bass noodling can be heard on "Wolfcry." Fans of the old-school will find solace in the fact that vocalist Glen Metal (now that's just goofy), doesn't wail like a banshee as so many power metal vocalists tend to do. His voice is grittier, often compared to Steve Grimmett of Grim Reaper fame.

In Thy Power is not an album stuck in the past, though. There are plenty of modern power metal tracks, that give a nod to the old-school in spirit only. "When Hell Freezes Over" rages out of the gate with call-and-response style vocals. And "Travellers in Time" and "Beast Slayer" easily hold their own with the best of today's power metal bands. The album closes with the obligatory metal-hymn, "Eternal Flames of Metal," complete with sing-along chorus hyping what else? METAL! It's very cliché, but good nonetheless.

In Thy Power is in no way an original album, but then again, how many power metal releases can honestly claim originality? Instead, Cryonic Temple took a tried and true formula, added its own touches, and put out a fine album. And while I won't call In Thy Power essential, fans of power metal can't go wrong.

8.5/10

(If you manage to land the limited edition, you will get three extra tracks from some older recording sessions. Unfortunately, I wasn't that lucky.)

Rather disappointed with this album, as it came highly recommended. What we have here is a very generic power metal offering. The band goes for a heavier vibe rather than the overly-pretty sound of many Euro-metal bands. Still, this doesn't really distinguish them from alot of what's out there- it just demonstrates that these guys listened to Accept as well as Helloween. The songs are interchangeable, all moving at a similar pace and featuring instantly forgettable lyrics. The one exception is the brilliant 'A Soldier's Tale', which opens with a great guitar flurry and rips along- it's the only track that sounds as though the band is really putting some heart into the song. Otherwise, just put Cryonic Temple on ice with all those other unoriginal LMP bands

They blend 80's and 90's style of power metal and mixed it with the modern hype and believe me, sounds very good!! Great keyboards arrengements makes this album a perfect atmosphere for the lover of metal. The guitar riffs and soloing is tight with a unique and original style. Give this record a spin, you won't regret it!!!

Ok, generally I like intelligent lyrics in my music. You're not going to find incredibly thought provoking lyrics here. If you read the lyrics without the music they're incredibly cheesy. But if you just want to head bang in the car on a long trip, this is a perfect CD. The vocalist (Glen Metal) is solid, the production is polished, and the guitars are fast and heavy. The one element that I think is brilliant is 'the riff'. Starting with the slower intro bit, there's a riff that's repeated in at least half of the songs, possibly 3/4 or even all of them. Sometimes it's blatantly obvious, sometimes it's with a twist on the riff. It's a little touch that gives a nice feel of consistency (plus it's a nice riff).

As has been mentioned, this is power metal but with a more aggressive, straight forward bent to it. At times it feels like Maiden, at times like Priest, and at others Scorpions. It's not music I would use to hook someone on Heavy Metal as it's just so over the top (including the CD and case artwork), but it's damned fun to listen to.

This is Christian Metal - sorry all you Black Metal lovers. I had to deal with this fact as I read the lyrics of the first songs - which is called "The King has Returned" and goes on to talk about contemporary issues, anarchist, fascists, terrorists etc. Other songs, such as Beastslayer - follow along the same path.
However you wont find the name of Christ being called out - it is all in the symbolism of: The King, Faith, Light & Hell - all which are Christian based.
So, yes - you can make up your own belief of what they are saying - to me, the meaning of the songs is just very clear.
And the most important fact - the Band ROCKS!
I have two reviews I can write - One for the novice in Power Metal, and another one for the Power Metal Fan.

For the Novice: This band sounds very similar to Judas Priest on its good days (80's era - Painkiller), specially the vocals. The drumming is strictly Power Metal - featuring double bass lines and music similar to Hammerfall, clear & clean. The solos fall on the line of Iron Maiden - with simple but nice melodies and interlaced solos.

For the Power Metal Fan - this band offers a mix you would get when you mix good stuff from Grave Digger with good stuff from Running Wild. The sound is a blend between Grave Digger and Running Wild. But the reason why I associate this band with Running Wild is more because they are sticking to the theme of "The King's Return" and things like that, through out the whole album - which is cool. The vocals yes, they are hard to compare - but at many times it is almost the identical sound of that Scorpions (yes that Hair Band from the 80s) vocalist - called Klaus Maine.