reviewpage
Where can I
get the CD?
Oratorio - The reality of existance |
|
Oratorio is a finnish band that has been around for five years already. They started off playing finnish songs but soon started making songs in english as well. Some time after releasing 2 independent EPs, Oratorio recorded the song Shine the Light to show the direction they were heading. They signed a record deal with Little Rose, but to their bad luck the record company dispanded before they had time to record their full-length album. Now two years later Oratorio entered the studio to release it independently as the EPs, they did however send a demo to swedish metalguru Christian Rivel. Christian immediately loved the music and wanted to release it on his lable. So here it is now, Oratorio's first full-length album released on Rivel Records. I must say I had some high expectations on this album after hearing the Huuto EP and the very intense concert they held at Gloria this fall. It doesn't disapoint, it rocks from the beginning to the end. Unlike Huuto all but one song are in english now. They music is also faster paced and the guitar parts more impressive than ever. The music is very energetic, melodic and really gets you going. This is power metal done as it's supposed to. The biggest improvement over the years that really sticks out is vocalist Joel Hekkala. He really impresses with his powerful voice with a slight crunch that fits perfectly to the music. He sounds much more natural and rutined and mature as a singer now and his occasional growls add a nice effect to the songs as well. He manages the higher notes very well also. While he doesn't get as high up as the singers of 80's metal bands you don't really miss it because of the many other elements present. The lyrics are very Christ-centered and bold and speak about troubles you encounter in life and the one and only solution. The english lyrics still don't work quite as well as the finnish ones in general though, but this is only noteable in some songs. The album kicks off straight in your face with the fast paced Chain of Pain and keeps rocking through the next few excellent songs as well. In the middle there is a weaker moment compared to the rest of the album. It's by no means bad, but you notice it due to the masterfulness of the rest of the album. This is however soon corrected and the album starts building up to the awesome No Return from Hell that levels beautiful piano and acoustic guitar tunes with some extremely brutal guitar riffs. The ballad Taivaallinen Jerusalem (Heavenly Jerusalem) is a beautiful peice that originally was meant to end the album. However, as a treat for the people who never got the Metal Rose compilation album, Oratorio added a remastered version of the 2001 song Shine the Light. I must say that this was a very succeeded move as it's a very powerful song that once again gets the listener pumped and when it ends, you just want more and feel like listening through the whole album again. The production is excellent and the guest keyboards and violin add nice elements to the songs. This is a solid album, the only thing I'm really missing is a instrumental peice somewhere as I feel the band could really shine on a instrumental. It would also let you hear more of the excellent shredding that you can't get enough of on this album. All in all this is a very important release for Oratorio and will definately open up a lot of doors for the band. I really recommend The Reality of Existence as it's one of the top releases of year 2003! |
| Style: Power metal | |
| Hot shots: | Chain of Pain, Lonely Prayer, Ages Before, No Return from Hell, Shine the Light |
| Overall: |
|
| Year: | 2003 |
| Review by: | Whitewashed |