Search - Norther :: Mirror of Madness

Only Through The Celestial Mirror

OzzyApu | Seattle, WA | 04/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After a very harsh beginning, Norther was finally able to reach a standing debut entitled -Dreams Of Endless War-. It was a rounding success, but Norther was acclaimed as Children Of Bodom rip-offs or sound-alikes. To me, Norther has their own uniqueness that separates them totally from what Children Of Bodom offer. First of all, COB shred fast with blazing solos and chugging riffs that pound the living daylights out of the listener, while atop Alexi's one and only vocals. Norther however, takes a more melodic approach with less speed and more dynamics, while atop vocals that are shy of Alexi's. One thing for sure, these guys are almost unheard on an international level, although since their latest one they have been garnering attention in Europe and Japan, rather than just Finland.





"Blackhearted" and "Betrayed" are almost identical in riffs, but their tunes separate with the fast rhythm and keys. "Cry" is my second favorite, chugs with a great riff and chorus. The two highlights are the keyboard solo, which is beautiful and majestic in all aspects, and the guitar solo, which by no means breaks any new grounds, but is extremely catchy and fun. "Dead" is entirely slow and begins with a riff similar to In Flames' "Bullet Ride". The break is the keyboard turn and the guitar solo in the middle.



My favorite comes last with the title track, "Mirror Of Madness". This was their only video from this album for a good reason. A very frosty riff and guitar backdrop linger behind Petri's pissed off vocals. The guitar solos in this are very exquisite and fast. The album ends with the track playing one of the best endings, with fast shredding and a lasting tune after the words "Forever Gone!"



Whether you are Thrash, Death, Black, or Power, any Metal fan would not be content without this record in his or her library. Yes, it is worth it to get the version that has bonus tracks, as those tracks have signature tunes to them as well. Nine tracks of devotion, emotion, and pure Metal from one of Finland's finest."

Excellent melodic death

Ms. C. A. Cooper | United Kingdom | 05/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When it comes to buying an album in the death metal catergory I always look for melodeath and clear strutured melodic riffs. I found all I wanted in this album. I was not disappointed at all as it was definitely an album that "caught my ear" as you might say. This is definitely a striking album well worth buying, which is what I am pleased about. The melodies combined within the music fit perfectly and are structured so uniqely. Mirror of Madness is one of my favourite songs here because it is so different in parts,almost epic. Unleash Hell, just from that powerful beginning gets my heart thudding.However this is not some of their heavy stuff , it is certainly amongst the most blatantly melodic and admirable."