Alterium – Of War and Flames
Of War and Flames – the fourth single by Italian quintet Alterium – is the title track from their debut album due for release on 8th March 2024 via AFM Records. Led by Nicoletta Rosellini (former member of Kalidia and Walk In Darkness), the band flutter between the worlds of power and symphonic metal. During its five minutes, Of War and Flames moves through several different tempos and moods. Beginning with an appealing piano motif (which returns later), the entire band soon join as the track takes flight on its high-energy journey.
Throughout its five-minute length, Of War and Flames is structured to allow each member of the band their moment in the limelight. While in the hands of some bands this may appear calculating, Alterium handle the vocals, changes of tempo and solos effectively. Lyrically drawing on themes from Ancient Egyptian mythology, Of War and Flames narrates the story of the goddess Sekhmet, highlighting her role in war and destruction and reflecting on the ancient belief of the power of deities to influence human affairs, especially through natural phenomena and overarching fate.
With Of War and Flames, Alterium are on well trodden ground, following many bands that have walked this way before. Nonetheless, their vigour, variety - they have also covered Bismarck by power metal legends Sabaton - and the vocal dexterity of Rosellini are sure to appeal to fans of more symphonic bands such as Within Temptation and Nightwish, but also those who enjoy the explosive elements of power metal.
Written 5th January 2024
Visit Alterium's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/alterium.band
Of War and Flames is out now. Watch the video below.
Sordid Path - Warrior
Warrior is the debut single from newly formed masked Swedish metal band Sordid Path. In recent days, they have released photographs of the band on social media and have made much of their masked image - in their own words “an enigmatic energy and mystifying line-up”. Sordid Path have clearly put much of their efforts into their black clothed, masked image and names (Skull, Mia (Missing in Action), Bone and Keeper (the drummer); however, this is insignificant without the musical prowess to solidify any reputation they hope to gain.
Aiming to maintain an ominous feel throughout, the song (produced by Patrik Adolfsson – better known for his work in the arena of synth-pop) values atmosphere over bombast - which in some ways is admirable; however, Warrior is a strange choice for a debut single for a band who label themselves as they do. It has the feeling of a song which might sit better within an album for a change of pace and mood. Despite their efforts to address an important subject, any weight or depth to the song - which conveys the feelings of a soldier sent off to war - is rendered meaningless by the uninspired and insipid lyrics, which are delivered in an almost monotonal half-sung, half-spoken style. Sent to a foreign land / With a gun in my hand / Wearing a flag on my chest / Have to obey / They say.
Warrior introduces a band who claim they “seamlessly blend metal inspirations from classic to industrial” and who are taking their tentative first steps as a new entity. They have produced a single which does nothing to announce themselves as a dominating metal presence (the drumming, for example, appears unnatural and stilted) thus they are a band that needs to think carefully about their next step.
Written: 5th January 2024
Warrior is out now.
Visit the band's bandcamp page here: https://sordidpath.bandcamp.com/track/warrior
Visit their Spotify page here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fHpxTSytUZryjqsJILwav?si=t7DSpWMaSiu5IhS8zFdvew