PAGANIZE

It is always nice to hear a true blue classic metal album, even if said album is just decent, not stellar. Such is the case with "Evilution Hour" from Norway's PAGANIZE, which features, of all people, drummer Trym (ZYKON, EMPEROR). The disc is comprised of 10 solid, if unremarkable, tracks characterized by some fairly strong riffing, traditional (and natural sounding) drumming, mid to upper range melodic vocals, and fairly pronounced, bubbling bass lines. The idea behind the album seems rather obvious, that being to create a no-nonsense heavy metal album, which is exactly what PAGANIZE has done.

In journeying through the music of "Evilution Hour", the first bands that come to mind are early FATES WARNING (more so from an overall sound standpoint, rather than from song construction) and of course a little JUDAS PRIEST, the starting point comparison for virtually any classic metal band. A dash of vintage IRON MAIDEN is heard as well, most notably on tracks like "Divinity in Vain" (especially the main solo) and the slow 'n' steady march of "Hollow". The album's most catchy songs also happen to be highlights, those being "The Hour" and "Turn of the Tide", the former boasting the biggest chorus hook. Everything else is a good listen, mainly because of the guitar work and the old-school vibe, even if none of it leaves much of a lasting impression.

If any of this makes the album sound sub par, it shouldn't, as "Evilution Hour" is, if nothing else, a fun album that should tickle the nostalgia bone. Personally, when I've got a hankerin' for a new band playing an older style, I'll grab CRESCENT SHIELD's "The Last of My Kind". Not bad, but certainly not essential.