• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Outstanding, symphonic-laced Power Metal, from, of all places, Indiana – such is the tale of Lorenguard. As a long-time genre fanatic, it's always astounding when something this good somehow passes me by. The band's first, and to this point only, full-length, Eve of Corruption: The Days of Astasia – Part One, easily beats out any recent efforts from the likes of Rhapsody (of Fire) or Dark Moor, and is right up to par with the most excellent debut from Evertale. Thing is, Lorenguard did all of this themselves back in 2011, with zero label support, making it all the more impressive. Only just recently has the album seen a wider release with distribution through Cleopatra Records.

As is customary with the genre, Eve of Corruption is a concept album with a fantasy setting, but rather than simply being based on a short story in the album's booklet, it's based on an entire novel of the same name, written by drummer Brady Sadler (formerly of Winterfell). So without getting into the whole story, let's just say the album has a lot to draw from. And while familiarity with the story certainly isn't required to enjoy the album, it does make it that much more enjoyable.

Lorenguard mixes normal Power Metal tropes (palm-muted riffs, keyboards, double-bass, etc.), with several other metal genres, including a strong helping of traditional Heavy Metal, but that is far from all. For instance, "Upon the Burning Isles" showcases Thrash-like riffing; the ending of "Secrets of the Spire" teeters on the line of more extreme forms of metal; and the chorus of "Dragonsbane" flirts with an Evergrey-like Prog. From start to finish Eve of Corruption features stellar songwriting – try to get the choruses of the title track and "Greenstone" out of your head – all punctuated by the powerful vocals Rob Graves (also formerly of Winterfell).

In short, all genre fans, and especially those with a strong affinity for bands like Blind Guardian or Orden Ogan, should do themselves a favor, and listen to Eve of Corruption. Now I can only wait – impatiently, I might add – for album, and novel, number two.