Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

Celestial Ode > Celestial Ode > Reviews
Celestial Ode - Celestial Ode

Brainstorm-style power/thrash - 70%

makaze, September 14th, 2004

After so many reviews, I am finally able to present you one Greek metal band. The band we are talking about is named Celestial Ode, and plays pure power/thrash metal. They were formed back in 1996. by Themis Gourlisa (guitar) and Dionisis Koutisa (guitar). After some time they decided it's time to do some of their own stuff and record a demo. In july of 2000. recording started and the result is their self-released, self-titled album "Celestial Ode". It's featuring five songs with 18 minutes of total playback time. The first song on this album, "Merciless Attack" is combining heavy metal songwriting and melodies with thrash guitars and powerful, but melodic vocals. Soft intro leads us into "Mind's Cells", which shows us heavy roots even more. It sounds like it was created back in the years of NWOBHM, taking you back in time in good old days of heavy metal. But I don't like vocals here, they sound too weak. Now it's time for the best track on album - "The Altar" - with blasting drums, hard power/thrash guitars and great vocals. Guitar playing is fu*king great! I have never heard a song with such a great intro. Everything sounds like these guys came directly from Brainstorm. A bit melodic, but same style. "The Loser" is too soft and boring, but the last song, "Keep your Religion", is so powerful it will make your head banging. It still sounds like Brainstorm, so if you like them, you will definitely like the Celestial Ode.

Wow, more derivative thrash! - 64%

DeadFetus, April 3rd, 2003

Thrash seems to be the most popular genre right now, at least in my world of demo reviews. Thus far I have reviewed many more thrash/power bands than any other type of metal. This on its own isn't a bad thing, but it seems that all these bands have the same basic formula. Decent thrash song, ballad, angry thrash piece, repeat. I believe that thrash died off a long time ago simply because there wasn't much room for it to grow, and although thrash has seen a resurgence of sorts with these new "thrash" groups (The Haunted, The Crown, Corporation 187, etc.) I am of the opinion that these groups aren't really thrash, and they really aren't any good either.

This is where Celestial Ode comes in. They basically play traditional, 80's-styled power/thrash metal, and while it's perfectly competent, it has all been done many times before, and has been done a lot better. I am of the opinion that if a band is gonna play a "retro" style of music, then they better do it damn well. Celestial Ode are competent enough, but they just don't cut it for this reviewer.

That being said there are a few things that I do find worthwhile about Celestial Ode. The songs flow well, and there are some choice riffs to be found here. The band is pretty tight musically and they write some nice catchy tunes. The thrashers are heavy and fast enough to keep me entertained, and the ballads, although not noteworthy, don't annoy me like most tend to do.

The bad parts of this demo are very bad though. The vocals are atrocious. This guy can't sing very well. The lyrics are decent, but this squealing and whining singer just makes me laugh. While the musicianship is competent I get over the tired and dated sound of this album. If I want to listen to thrash I'll stick to those who have mastered it already. I'm just not looking for bands who don't do anything but retread old ideas.

Originally Published @ www.metaljudgment.com (c) 2003