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SATARIEL ‘Hydra’ Regain Records (2005)
Yesterday, after a really long day at work and having spent a very interesting and amusing night with friends and family, I decided to take a look at my pile of promos in order to decide which release would be the next to write a review for. Having rejected the first couple of albums that I picked up (no, I do not intent to reveal their names to you), I sat there staring at the album cover of “Hydra” – the third long awaited release of the Swedish metal outfit Satariel.
The first thing that came to mind was “hey, let’s just play a couple of songs to see what this album is all about”, and having relaxed on my couch I pushed the play button. Seconds after the Dark Tranquillity influenced melody of “The Freedom Fall” filled the room, I started feeling really comfortable with what I was listening to. The second composition of the album “Be Your Angel, Be Your Beast” is a typical Swedish metal composition, and even though it has a very catchy refrain, it was a bit too melodic for my taste – not a bad song, though.
Now, when I think of Metal, I normally have in mind guitar riffs like the one in “Claw of Clouds”. Par Johansson, the band’s frontman, has recorded some really interesting vocals for this song, which also blend really well with the smart double bass (in parts) drumming of Robert Sundelin. I urge you to listen to the excellent guitar solo, courtesy of Mr.Magnus Alakangas whose quality is enough to convince you that you are indeed listening to the best song of the album. I had no time to really catch my breath, and “Vengeance is Hers” kicked in – a very interesting song, the lyrical context of which is based upon a very unfortunate story.
The members of Satariel will justify their Swedish origins in songs like “For Galaxies To Clash”, “The Springrise” and “Scattered the Timeweb”, with the latter being the one that I found the most interesting due to it’s dark emotional/atmospheric nature. “300 Years Old” is a mid-tempo Goth-influenced composition which has little, if not nothing, to do with the bombastic riff-based composition “Nihil Juggernaut”, and the quite emotional melodies of “No God Loves” which is also the final track of this forty-one minute release.
It is not that difficult for me to explain why I find “Hydra” to be quite an attractive album. Even though there is nothing particularly innovative about the band’s sound and musicianship, the members of Satariel managed to release a fresh and energetic album with plenty of catchy rhythms that, once they invade your privacy, will guarantee that you spend quite a lot of your spare time with them. A really nice effort from a very promising band. You have my blessings.
***½
Review by John Stefanis
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