State of Triumph - Chapter Two

Almost exactly one year after its successful debut release, German-American heavy and power metal quintet Metalium comes around with another full length effort. This is even more astonishing considering the fact that one of the guitarists and the drummer left the band. The new guy behind the kit is Marc Cross who was known to few people back then but who would end up playing drums for power metal heavyweights Helloween and Firewind later on in his career. New guitarist is Jack frost who was briefly involved in Savatage like his predecessor and who is most known for his work with Seven Witches nowadays.

Even though the band remained faithful to its mixture of traditional heavy metal and vibrant power metal, there are a few significant changes that keep the second output very intriguing.

First of all, the production is a little bit mellower than the aggressive and energetic predecessor which gives the record a more epic and melodic touch which suits the ambitious lyrical concept.

Secondly, the album uses much more additional keyboards than before to give the release a more atmopsheric and almost cinematic vibe without sounding too cheesy or fluffy.

Thirdly, the annoying narrative parts involving the stereotypical male protagonist have been reduced and a female voice offers some more narration now. Speaking of female voices, this album has a few more backing vocals, involving five women who contributed choirs to this release.

Fourthly, the song writing has become more epic and progressive as the eleven songs featured here are much longer than the thirteen tracks plus hidden coda from the first strike. The tracks offer more dynamic changes and are overall quite ambitious without sounding overloaded or tiring.

Another noteworthy element is that this album kicks off somewhat slowly but ends on a high note as opposed to the predecessor. The fast, melodic and vibrant "Stygian Flames" is an absolute highlight while the closing title track "State of Triumph" is as epic as it gets with melancholic piano sounds, massive choirs and narrative passages that almost make this song sound like a metal opera without any classical music watering it down.

Metalium's State of Triumph is a grower. The tracks are less intense than those from the predecessor at first contact but the material is more atmospheric, epic and mature and opens up with every spin. It's a release that requests attention, patience and time but ends up rewarding the listener. Despite being less commercially successful than the predecessor, State of Triumph is a respectable progress for the epic power metal quintet that has found its own style here and moved away from copying heavy metal veterans.

Metalium’s brand of metal worship takes its cues from well established acts such as Judas Priest, Manowar, Helloween, Gamma Ray, and a host of other acts that came out of the 80s. In many respects they bear similarity to Lost Horizon, be it the powerful and large vocal range of their front man, or the uplifting lyrics depicting metaphorical characters performing heroics done for the sake of the metal cause. The one place where they break ranks with each other is the musical presentation, where Metalium has chosen a simpler and more traditional approach, rather than the structurally intricate and progressive songs put forth by their Swedish brethren.

Years ago I was blown away after hearing Metalium’s debut, mostly due to the sheer amount of energy that was pumped through my stereo speakers. “State of Triumph” is the next logical step for a follow up to such a masterpiece, ratcheting up the speed and aggression, as well as presenting an even more ambitious storyline with multiple narrators. The approach of personifying the 4 elements in the form of goddesses is the perfect touch to an epic speed/power assault of this proportion, as are the backup choirs that breathe further excellence into the ballads and speed anthems.

Essentially the only change made between this album and the debut is the exodus of Mike Terrana and Chris Caffery from the fold, but with the addition of Mark Cross and Jack Frost to the band, nothing has really been lost. Mark Cross’ drumming, in particular, really shines on this album both through the several high octane speed metal songs as well as the slower tracks. The dual lead guitar assault is still equally as present and captivating, though unfortunately the 2 guitar approach that worked so well for them would be abandoned after this album.

The songs stand strong individually from start to finish, giving the listener a healthy diet of speed and atmosphere, making way for the occasional surprise. “Steel Avenger” and “Erania” instantly win points as solid speed metal tracks in the Painkiller tradition, loaded with high end vocal shrieks and fancy drum work. “Inner Sight” and “Years of Darion” have occasional burst of double bass triumph, but rely more on mid tempo beats and solid riff work. “State of Triumph” and “Prophecy” are ballads that highlight Henning Basse’s versatile voice as well as the more atmospheric side of the band, although they are both a bit overlong.

The real standouts, however, take the 2 best elements of power metal to their most logical conclusion. “Eye of the Storm” is a highly hook driven mid tempo rocker that sounds like it could have been lifted off of Screaming for Vengeance, by far the song that will stick in your head the quickest. “Stygian Flames” takes the lead in terms of raw speed and aggression, giving “Metal Meltdown” off Painkiller a genuine run for its money and is topped only by its predecessor on Metalium’s last album “Void of Fire”.

Fans of Judas Priest and the more guitar-driven side of power metal will definitely not be disappointed with this release. In most quarters this album is viewed as the magnum opus of the band, but I still am partial to the debut, mostly because of “Void of Fire”. Both albums underscore the immensity of the power metal explosion that occurred in Germany between 1997 and 2002. Unfortunately the band has yet to be able to fully recapture the magic achieved on these first two releases, but I am hopeful that when I hear “Nothing to Undo” that I will be proven wrong.

Metalium are your typical power metal band, yet somehow they've managed to add a bit of fire and edge to their songs. The production on this album is much less raw compared to the previous album, and though it still sounds good, I think that the production on here makes Metalium sound even more like your typical power metal band.

The narration on this album is what adds the most cheese, and I wish they hadn't used it, but it's also what builds up most of the storyline throughout this "chapter" in Metalium's music. The riffs these guys have come up with definately give back the edge (and then some) though. There's some crazy shredding, and some slower more epic riffs. The guitarist on this album has shown some great versatility. The bass on here follows the drums for the most part, but there are a few snazzy bass riffs that managed to stand out.

The vocals are you typical power metal vox; quite high most of the time, but you have to admit this guy has range, which is something I always appreciate. The drummer goes crazy on this album. I can assure you all that for the most part, what seems to be the "standard" power metal drumming isn't used in these songs. This guy knows how to keep a beat without getting repetative, and some of his playing is what adds such an edge to the songs.

Best Tracks: Steel Avenger, Music, Years of Darion.

I have found Metalium to be a band that is indeed incendiary among their genre. Perhaps one of the most fiery of all power metal, they have produced a sound that while being melodic and flowing, as power metal is, but also has a sound which contends with much more brutal forms of metal.


In their second release, i found a diversion from the more fiery elements of Millenium Metal, with a few similarities. Their incendiary, concussive sound is toned down a bit with more melody, as can be seen in songs such as "Eye of the Storm", "Break Out" and "The Years of Darion". However, they have not lost their edge, as this album represents Metalium building up to what could be a veritable audial orgasm. Their songs still remain epic and paint a vivid image of their ongoing story. Even down to their cover of an Abba song, they never fail to do things right.

I would say that this, and their previous albums are essential for any fans of power metal. And those who do not like power metal may like this band for it's fiery and skull shattering sound. A superb album by a superb band.