Armory – “Empyrean Realms”

With the release of their newest full-length disc, Empyrean Realms, the Massachusetts-based power metal band Armory are prepared to make their mark on the metal scene. This disc is a finely crafted, truly epic power metal record that really reminded me of some of the bigger names in the genre such as Blind Guardian, Sonata Arctica, and even Iron Maiden.

Melodic twin guitars gallop along at a mid-tempo pace layered perfectly over a solid backbone of bass and drums. Vocalist Adam Kurland brings it all together with his solid passionate, melodic performance that runs the gamut from powerful, medium range vocal lines to intensely crazy higher notes.

As you would expect in a power metal band there are keyboards at work in the songs, but they are used tastefully and do not soften the attack by taking take center stage. Guitar solos abound here as well and I think this is another place that Armory really shines; their fantastic fretboard wizardry is really the icing on the cake.

At the end of the day Empyrean Realm has a classic European metal feel about it that I really dig and have found myself listening to it repeatedly. This is a really solid metal disc, top to bottom.

Track Listing:

01. Eternal Mind
02. Dreamstate
03. Beyond The Horizon
04. Reflection Divine
05. Horologium
06. Elements Of Creation
07. Inner Sanctum
08. Fate Seeker
09. Quest For The Fleece

Run Time: 50:23
Release Date: November 12, 2013

Check out the album ‘Empyrean Realms’