h33t - GrailKnights - 2008 - Alliance [rockbox]

Melodic epic death/power/folk metal from Germany, latest full-length album released in 2008.

Quote:

The heavy metallic quest for the Holy Grail has been lasting for more than 5 years until today, but the sluggish arch enemy of the Grailknights, Dr. Skull, keeps on snatching the precious chalice away from the four coloured superheroes. It’s up to the Battlechoir, the loyal hordes of Grailknights fans, and the noble beer-supplying steed Zapf Beauty to reconquer the Holy Grail at the end of every battle.
But Dr. Skull is wide awake, and has made two myrmidons his subjects: The malodorous orc Morph the Swarf and a gargantuan dragon, simply named Urks. There was only one possible solution for the Knights: Record a new CD as soon as possible, and use the power of their filed battlehymns to show Dr. Skull and his subjects their limits. “Alliance” is the synonym of the indestructable pact between the Grailknights and their powerful Battlechoir, as well as Melodic Death Metal at it’s best.
"Join the Choir and get well tanked up in the ancient halls of Castle Grailskull! Grails high!"
Those who have already seen the Grailknights in battle know that it is a feast for ears and eyes. A visual firework combined with formidable battlehymns. The show, which pictures the costumed fight for the Holy Grail versus Dr. Skull, is the framework for intensive interaction with the audience. Nevertheless, one should take nothing more than a winking look at the show, as the music, that goes without saying, is the spotlight and the main reason for uncountable positive feedbacks and a constantly growing number of members in the Battlechoir!
The four Knights have already played many concerts and festivals, which have given proof to the superb reputation of being an unforgettable live band. Here one can mention the Dong Open Air 2006, the Kielowatt Festival 2006, the Last Night On Earth Festival 2006, the Steel meets Steel Festival 2007, the Winternachtstraum Festival 2008 and the Queens of Metal 2008. The band has the potential to become a true cult band, as there are more and more warriors in „Grailknights-armour“ in front of stage.
In fall 2008, the Knights have the honour to support Sabaton on their "Art of Live Tour 2008" across Europe. Side by side, 20 cities in 11 countries will be visited, amongst others London, Glasgow, Copenhagen, Vienna, Hamburg and Warsaw.
Grails High!

GrailKnights Official Site

GrailKnights At MySpace

Quote:

"Alliance". A better title for this album couldn't have been chosen. The most obvious reason for this title is given in the song "Alliance". Grailknights hails the bond between the band and their fans, the Battlechoir. But there is another alliance on this album. The alliance between the styles used on the album: I heard melodic death metal, power metal and even a hint of folk metal thrown altogether. The genre of the band is described as melodic death metal on the Archives, but power/death metal would be a better description. Here are some songs that definitely need to be pointed as examples for the variety that Grailknights offers.

The opener, "Nameless Graves", would make a perfect power metal song, if without vocals. The chorus in its whole IS power metal. But: the vocals elsewhere are the grunts of death metal.

The next song, "Alliance", consists nearly entirely of death metal. The guitars and drums go wild in a true death metal fashion, Mac Death and Sir Optimus Prime succeed each other in doing the deep throat vocals. Sometimes the power metal comes looking around the corner albeit with minor influences.

The folk influence is heard on "The White Raven", an accordion and acoustic guitar are used at several points to create the atmosphere of a port full of pirates.

"Tranquillity's Embrace" sounds like an intruder on this album. It is a ballad. An acoustic ballad from a band that makes something death metallish and that dresses like Superman. A total surprise, as you can imagine. But after a few listening sessions it becomes more and more interesting to listen to, since it has a certain power in it and the lyrics are quite inspiring.

The last song to point out is "Der Konig von Thule" (The King of Thule). It was written by Johan Wolfgang von Goethe. The good man died in 1832, so the song could be called "classic". Grailknights gave it a special treatment, and it made of it a song with powerful riffs and acoustic intermezzo's. They prove with this song that classical music doesn't have to be boring.

Grailknights is a very creative band, as they proved with this album. They never repeat their selves, which is important for me on an album of this length. Some elements they successfully reuse in different songs, e.g. the parts where the band just shouts "Oooooo ooo oooooo ooo". These parts are great during live gigs to get the audience yelling. Which is exactly what I'll do when I see these knights performing live.

To conclude: people looking for something different in power metal, pay attention to this album. It will kick your ass. My personal favourites: "Nameless Grave", "Alliance", "Grailquest Gladiators".