Beats: Wisdom – Judas Review
Wisdom are a Hungarian Power metal band
that formed in 2001. After some promotional records, they released the Wisdom
E.P. as an attachment to the Hungarian heavy metal magazine Metal Hammer which
put them firmly in the public eye; then, in 2006 they released their first full
length album Words of Wisdom.
After
another E.P. in 2007 entitled At The
Gates, some tours and some opening spots for popular bands such as Iron
Maiden, Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell, Europe & Helloween, this year they
have released their second full length album Judas.
Each song
that Wisdom writes is based around a
famous quote which is a brilliant and unique idea because there is no solid
theme or story like with most power metal bands.
So, what of
the album?
The album
opens with the atmospheric sounds of the forest on Fallin’ Away From Grace and launches into the captivating and
catchy musicianship and lyricism that you would expect from a power metal band.
By the second time the chorus came along, I already found myself singing along.
The album takes a slightly heavier turn with Somewhere Alone with even more desirable riffs, enchanting vocals
& catchy lyrics.
The single
from the album is the fourth track, Live
Forevermore. If I were to hear this on the radio or in a club, I would be
extremely happy indeed. Again; catchy lyrics, great riffs and magical vocals. I
think this is slightly heavier than a lot of the songs on the album, and I’m
fine with that.
The album
also has a softer, acoustic side when we get to Heaven & Hell. The track opens with pattering of rain then an
acoustic guitar kicks in with even softer, emotion filled vocals. We get
electric guitars as well but this showcases the more emotional side of
songwriting. Brilliant.
As far as
power metal goes, we haven’t seen much of the more cheesy side until Silent Hill. I’m not gonna lie, the
cheese in the lyrics made me laugh the first time I heard it and that can only
be a good thing. Power metal seems to have lost that ‘pop’ edge in recent years
but thankfully, Wisdom have brought it back with this song. Lyrics like “Welcome to the nightmare of Silent Hill;
life is more than a fantasy” restore my faith in the genre.
My favourite
song on the album is the grande finale Judas
Featuring Mats Levén from Therion who plays the voice of Judas. What I hear
when the track starts sounds like a dank jail cell with dripping water; then
the majestic instruments start and there really is quite an epic build up to an
unforgivably catchy riff that you seem to move with. Again, the chorus
instantly gets you singing along and raising your fist in an epic manner. If
they don’t play this song live on the Swedish Empire tour with Sabaton and
Eluvitie (Dates below), I’ll be disappointed.
All in all Wisdom – Judas is a phenomenal album that has truly restored my faith in the
genre of power metal. I feel that a lot of power metal these days is trying to
focus more on the technicality of the music rather than epic songwriting. Wisdom sounds like the bastard child of
Blind Guardian and Sonata Arctica and this pleases me greatly. Judas is certainly a strong contender
for album of the year.
Wisdom – Judas is out now on Noise Art Records
Wisdom Online:
Wisdom will
be on the Swedish Empire Tour with Sabaton & Eluvitie in the U.K in
November; Dates are below:
01-Nov-12 Norwich Waterfront
02-Nov-12 Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
03-Nov-12 Manchester HMV Ritz
04-Nov-12 Glasgow Garage
09-Nov-12 London HMV Forum – Exclusive Pyro
Show!
10-Nov-12 Cardiff Great Hall 2
11-Nov-12 Sheffield Corporation
Nate
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