Metal Reviews

Ewwww..just got this the other day. Not impressed. First one was pretty decent, a bit samey in places, but good nonetheless. This.....well this is just boring as hell.

I always was bothered by the sterile guitar tone on the first album....this is worse because not only is the tone sterile, but the riffs and melodies are more sterile than a hypodermic needle....depending on who's using it.

Much better than Helvetets though, Iuri has one of the best voices in Heavy Metal. I agree that Defying the rules is better.

I wouldnt say its better, its different. I think the musicianship is obviously better than Helvetets, if that's what you meant that I agree. But I think Helvetets Port writes better guitar and vocal melodies than Hibria. Hibria sounds too clinical, I don't detect much feeling in the music.

I always felt like Hibria was a drier version of Lost Horizon.

I don't get what's wrong about Hibria's vocal melodies. And of course LH is better in every aspect, but their approach is different. LH goes for a more epic and majestic sound, while Hibria's sound is more raw and straightforward, leather and spikes metal. Sometimes they focus too much on technique but that's fine with me, they're great musicians, so why not take advantage of it?
And my Helvetets Port argument is gettin' old, it's the last time I'll use it against you . I do love the 80's sound, but I can't get into his vocals. I'd rather listen to White Wizzard.

I have no problem with that and understand where you're coming from. I too like Hibria, I just don't love them because I think that they sound too polished and for lack of a better word, generic. I agree the guy has a great voice and they are all great musicians, but that style of heavy metal just isnt interesting anymore. The Helvetets Port is interesting because it doesnt really sound like anything else I've heard before. They write some really off the wall stuff and I think the vocals are really great because of the unique vocal lines they right. Of course I havent heard their full length, but it didnt sound as good as the EP. So that's not good...oh well.

Helvetets Port sounds interesting now for the nostalgia many of us have for the 80's, but honestly, if they've played 25 years ago, they would've drowned in the wave, nothing spectacular and they do sound a bit generic. Metal should continue its evolution, that sound was perfected a long time ago. This whole retro shit trend is infecting a lot of subgenres, mostly producing average releases.

One of my favorite albums of 08! I love Hibria, I love this album, but I love Defying the Rules more.

Seriously this band showcases some of the best vocals and guitar solos. There is something about it that keeps me wanting to hit repeat. It took me a while for it to really click though. I'm going to listen to them now.

I don't dfind them generic at all. They're better than most power metal released nowadays, more interesting, catchier, and more powerful.

It's a shame that Lost Horizon arent around anymore....at least not in a productive capacity. We wouldnt have to settle for Hibria....at least I wouldnt.