Cellador
Leaving All Behind EP
8.2
Now this is what the hell I'm talkin' about! As the power metal union continues its uphill battle toward triumph in 2005, it seems to be steadily losing ground. With each disenchanting effort after another, the stumbling scene has all but fallen flat on its face. With the unquestionable exception of the most recent offerings by Kamelot, Demons & Wizards, Hammerfall, and Angra, virtually every other release has served only as a tripwire in the genre's downfall. Hailing from Nebraska of all places, Cellador have arrived just in time to hoist an exhausted scene to its feet, and lead it back to the glorious path from which it has strayed.
Unbound by any record label strings, Cellador perform a dying breed of speed fueled power metal akin to Helloween and DragonForce. Their independently released Leaving All Behind EP showcases every distinctive characteristic that has come to be expected of bands that fall into this hypersonic class of high caliber metal. Armed with lightning fast and galloping riffs, thunderous drumming, blistering solos, and soaring vocals, this quintet has the potential to resurrect an otherwise dead scene.
As meticulous and mesmerizing as the music on these four tracks truly is, I can’t help but feel that the vocals are the highlight of Leaving All Behind, hands down. Fusing all the finest qualities of Michael Kiske, Timo Kotipelto, and Tobias Sammet, Michael Gremio’s high pitched pipes are among the best I’ve heard, but it’s those massive sing-a-long chorus sections that really leave a lasting impression. Be prepared to find yourself humming these melodies out of the blue, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Like the aforementioned DragonForce a few years back, Cellador are making an enormous impact across the metal world through good ol’ word of mouth about their Leaving All Behind EP. Rumors have been circulating of negotiations with some of the biggest labels around, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the band was inking a deal as you read this. I myself anticipate a top ten worthy full-length in the very near future. Soaring high above the baron power metal wasteland of late, Cellador wave the flag of the elite – join them or be left behind.
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