Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

Olympos Mons > Medievil > 2007, CD, Avalon (Japan) > Reviews
Olympos Mons - Medievil

Took me by complete surprise - 80%

TrooperOfSteel, June 14th, 2015
Written based on this version: 2007, CD, Avalon (Japan)

Finnish power metal band, Olympos Mons, are back with their 2nd full-length release. Their new CD is called ‘Medievil’ and they have continued on with the sound from their debut CD, ‘Conquistador’. Olympos Mons are primarily power metal, but have also infused symphonic, neo-classical and folk metal parts into their songs. All together, the music sounds very massive, bombastic and majestic, while still being heavy at the same time.

Hearing Olympos Mons for the first time, I was rather taken back with the quality of the music. This is just the band’s 2nd release and they sound fantastic. Immediately I found similarities with bands such as Guardians of Time, Insania (of Stockholm, Sweden), Thy Majestie, early Nocturnal Rites, Majestic, Dragonland and Iron Mask.

The symphonic and neo-classical metal parts are used perfectly into each song, but still maintain that heavy power metal feel. The guitar sound is quite deep, heavy and brooding in most songs, and in others they are more what you would expect in a symphonic/neo-classical metal band. The band hasn’t gone out on their own here, so there isn’t anything new (music wise), but this is still a very solid power metal release.

There are no ballads on ‘Medievil’ and the songs range from mid-paced to fast-paced; and all of them are action packed and keep your interest the whole way through. I did find 2 things on the CD which I must bring to attention, the first being the structure of some of the songs. I feel that in some parts of the songs, the arrangement doesn’t quite fit, whether it clashes with the vocals or just doesn’t sit well with the main structure of the songs. This is mostly done during the choruses, and I feel it makes them less catchy than they could have been.

The other thing is the vocalist, Ian Highhill. I feel that he is a bit hot and cold. Highhill is a talented vocalist and has great range, but there are parts where I can’t hear as much emotion in his voice, which I had heard in other parts. Overall I am pleased with his efforts, but it is something that he could possibly work on for the all-important 3rd CD.

Song highlights on ‘Medievil’ include “Frozen”, “The Price”, “Fire And Ice” and “Medievil”, while the best 3 tracks would be “Kingdom Of Winter”, “Wolves” and “Locked In Chains”. “Kingdom Of Winter” is a great guitar driven track which really shows off the quality and skill of the band. The song is structured perfectly and has a slight dark feel to it as well. “Wolves” is a mid-paced track with galloping riffs and melodic vocals, which picks up the pace during the catchy chorus; not to mention a kick-ass heavy metal solo. Finally, the CD closer, “Locked In Chains” is a slow and brooding guitar driven track which is rather different from the other tracks on the CD. It really gets the head banging during the opening, and the feel during the verses is slow and sweet but then goes back to its original heavy sound in the choruses. Highhill sings very well on this track and it's probably his best effort in terms of range and emotion.

I am quite impressed with Olympos Mons’ latest CD, as it took me by complete surprise. Expecting just another symphonic, neo-classical sounding CD, which can all sound rather similar to one another, I was greatly mistaken once the CD had completed. Fans of the aforementioned metal genres will very much enjoy this release and it will also be good to get into a fairly new power metal band who are fighting their way through the metal ranks.

Originally written for www.metalcdratings.com (2007)

Medieval subjects and powerful yet cliche music. - 82%

hells_unicorn, February 15th, 2008

Olympos Mons are essentially what I would call a middle 3rd tier symphonic power metal band, mostly invoking images of a hybrid of mid-1990s Stratovarius and touches of epic outfits like Dark Moor and Freedom Call. Their songs rely pretty heavily on musical clichés first coined by the likes of Helloween and Gamma Ray, with perhaps more of a neo-classical tinge in several areas. They started a bit too late to claim any real sense of originality, but they do well within their highly derivative approach to the power metal medium.

Much like their debut LP “Conquistador”, “Medieval” has an even mix of exceptional power anthems and others which are adequate but not amazing. The two albums differ mostly in production, which is one of the areas where this release surpasses its predecessor, although it lags behind in a few others. Most of the material on here rely a bit more on the symphonic elements than the traditional metal instruments, giving it more of a Rhapsody edge, rather than the heavy Stratovarius and Dragonland tendencies of “Conquistador”.

The places where this album really shines are during the Freedom Call sounding speed tracks, most notably “Frozen”, “Kingdom of Winter” and the Japanese bonus track “Dreamer”. Surely enough, they are loaded with the same double kick beats that dominates almost all the post-Helloween acts, but they get the job done in the chorus and guitar solo sections, which are the most crucial elements of the genre. The guitar riffs are fairly plain, which is the ultimate result of approaching this genre with only one guitar player, but the vocal and keyboard atmosphere that results covers for it.

The other material on here is mostly good, although the choruses tend to meander a bit in certain songs. Although I enjoy “One Word” and the title track while listening to them, it is a struggle to remember what I’ve heard for the most part, particularly the choruses. Other songs like “The Emperor’s Return” and “Wolves” have sections that are really memorable, particularly the opening trumpet theme to the former, but lag a bit as a whole. The only other really powerful song on here aside from the first 3 mentioned beforehand is “Fire and Ice”, which succeeds at being the best power ballad I’ve heard from a power metal band in quite a while. Picture the best elements of Rhapsody’s “Symphony of Enchanted Lands” and Stratovarius’ approach to a piano ballad circa 1997 and you’ll get the idea.

This is a good release for fans of the Symphonic power metal format, particularly if you want a historically oriented alternative to the knights and dragons approach to many of the bands that influenced this one. Although not quite as powerful, as a whole this album compares heavily with The Storyteller’s “Tales of a Holy Quest”, but with a vocalist that sounds closer to Timo Koltipelto. This, along with Freedom Call’s “Dimensions”, ranks in the upper-middle range of 2007’s power metal albums. It’s only slightly inferior to its predecessor in the songwriting department, but definitely worth your time.

Typical symphonic power metal - 80%

Nightwalker, September 16th, 2007

Who needs another power metal band? Certainly not me. Who needs another Scandinavian power metal band? Dear god, no! But, since I used to like the genre pretty much, I'll try to review it as fair as possible, without too much power bashing anymore...

Olympos Mons is a Finnish symphonic power metal band in the vain of Sonata Arctica. Mind you, not Sonata Arctica anno "Ecliptica", that'd be too much credit. But also not like Sonata's latest "Unia" - it actually sounds a lot better. Just like on their latest album, Olympos Mons uses very epic and historical themes, which is reflected in their sound. This time Medievil times come to pass. "One Word" is a wonderful opening song, which immediately reminds of Sonata Arctica in their better days. Very catchy, very intense. From "The Emperors Return" on they begin to use Rhapsody-alike epic sounds too emphasize the concept of Medievil times a lot more. A typical Freedom Callish approach, you might even say. "The Price" and "A Race Between Two Hearts" are two songs who, again, sound so damn Sonata Arctica-alike that fans really nééd to get to know this band, 'cause it seems almost impossible to me to dislike them if you're a fan of the genre (and Sonata in particular). "Fire and Ice", the title reminds you of something? Right, this cannot get more stereotypical Stratovarius. And indeed, the song itself does not sound any more different from a song of Kotipelto and companions, but nonetheless it sounds very good and beautiful. After that, it's time for the title track, as in: more of the same stuff. With "Locked in Chains", the last song, the band goes a lot more heavy and epic - glad to see that they changed their concept a bit in this one, but the keys really mess it up in this song. A bit like on Magic Kingdom's "Metallic Tragedy" (which really was... a metallic tragedy) and Dark Moor's "Dark Moor", this final song closes their chapter on a more technical, less acceptable level.

Anyway, this is an enjoyable symphonic power metal album, which should please fans of Freedom Call, Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica. And just like Celesty and Serenity this band is comin' up slowly but certain to conquer it's place in the genre, and stand alongside the three bands I just mentioned. Not my cup of tea (anymore), but catchy and easy-going enough to please fans of this kind of metal.

http://www.vampire-magazine.com/

A Decent Follow Up - Not Spellbinding - 76%

Dragonchaser, July 31st, 2007

If nothing else, Olympos Mons' second full length conjures up the exact images the title would advocate. A good three years in the making, the shrewdly titled "Medievil" certainly should have sounded better, but as a result of petulant line up changes and a shift in direction these spell-casting Finns undoubtedly give it a good go, and for the most part, "Medievil" is a very adequate, enjoyable listen. For the most part, mind you.

Instead of building upon their amalgamation of catchy melodies and menacing guitar work, Olympos Mons have instead focused their efforts on sounding as boisterous and pretentious as humanly possible; the songs themselves suffering under the immense weight of tiny testicles. It's not like this is a bad album, not by any stretch of the imagination. But the songs just don't stick around long after the first couple of spins – something I thought 2004's "Conquistador" carried out with aplomb – and apart from "Wolves" and "One Word", the melodies are just lost within the grandiose arrangements and the endless shrill whisper of Ian Highhill. Granted, the songs, when the guitars are cranked to 11, sound heavier than on their last effort, particularly during the title track's pulsating intro, but at times there just isn't enough justification to mash the thrash/power metal styles together with a pestle of futility.

"Medievil" sounds great, no question there. The production – in similar style to the debut – is extremely brumal, giving the atmosphere an authentic hue, but that doesn't make up for the lacklustre song development. Repeated spins, however, ease my expectations and "Medievil" becomes quite a pleasurable listen, especially during the more traditional neo-classical sections and the happy, Sonata Arctica swashbuckling jaunt of "A Race Between Two Hearts." So, if you are unacquainted and enjoy fast, galloping power metal chock full of Rhapsody-isms and Symphony X-like solo breaks, Olympos Mons are the ones to book for your next D&D party. Those who heard "Conquistador", approach with your sword and shield raised for conflict…

Originally written for www.metalcrypt.com