Spelldown - Damnation From The Highest Point


Year of Release: 1999
Label: independent
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 14:32:00

This Canadian 5-piece was formed back in 1997 and as far as I know this is their first demo. The band has done a great job promoting the demo and I don't think this is the last we have heard from this promising band. Spelldown offer classy up-tempo power metal. The band lists bands such as Iced Earth, Nevermore and Gamma Ray as influences, which should give you a clue what this is all about. The songs are based around heavy, powerful, dueling guitars, pounding drums, up-front bass and power-choruses.

The mid-ranged and powerful vocals of Sebastian Nudo are solid and well suited for this music. The musicianship is very good and the song writing is also top notch, although I would prefer a bit more melody in the vocal-lines at times. On the other hand, the band show that they have the ability to use variation within the songs, such as instrumental parts and more laid-back and atmospheric passages, which contribute to keep the listener interested. Although the production could be better, you have to keep in mind this is only a demo and for a demo, the sound is good. I think this is a very solid demo with good songs, although one song stands out as an immediate favourite. Based on the material offered I am pretty convinced these guys will be signed in the near future and if they can keep the quality of these songs on a full album, and with only a few minor adjustments, we should be in for a treat.

Fans of power metal and above-mentioned bands, such as Iced Earth, need to check this one out. This should be something for you.

[This review originally appeared May 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Necropolis / Clash Of The Swords / Mount Olympus

Musicians:
Sebastian - vocals
Alex - guitar
Cedric - guitar
Dominic - bass
Bay - drums

Discography:
Damnation From The Highest Point (1999)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin CA

Added: February 20th 2005
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Hits: 2256
Language: english

  

[ Back to Reviews Index | Post Comment ]