Mindtech
Elements of Warfare
TriTech Music
2013
Starting out in 2007, the story of this Norwegian metal band is kinda complicated among well-known members of the Norwegian scene and a name change (the band’s first name was Beyond Flames). The main thing is that Thor-Axel Eriksen (Tritonus/ex-Quadrivium), on guitars & bass, made this happen as he gathered around him a few other great players such as: Ole Devold (Tritonus/Loveshack) on drums, Lasse Finbraten (Circus Maximus) on keys, Aslak J. Johnsen (Loveshack/Frimann Frelst) on vocals & Marius Belseth (Dolls of Disaster) on guitars.
Assuredly, with such a line-up one could expect nothing less than prog-ish metal with heavy/power metal elements and melodic & atmospheric references. This is exactly the case here. The musicianship is strong (how could it be different?), the melodies are strong and the metal attitude is pervasive. The bass was recorded by Linus Abrahamson (Andromeda, Asymmetry, Anton Johansson’s Galahad Suite, Citadellion etc.). The other two guests, are the vocalists: Linda Kvam (a local pop/country singer), who signs on “Sons of God” & Anette Uvaas Gulbrandsen (Sabbathian/Leave’s Eyes), who has done some “multi-vocals” on “Resistance”. The production duties have been taken care of by Thor-Axel, the mixing was done by Børge Finstad (Mayhem, Tristania, Arcturus, Big Bang etc.), at Toproom Studio and the mastering by Markus Teske (Vanden Plas, Mob Rules, Red Circuit etc.), at Bazement Studio, Germany. The final outcome is full & heavy.
It’s true that “Elements of Warfare” is full of that “distinct” prog, heavy, power, melodic, atmospheric & intense essence which mostly emanates through Norwegian or Scandi bands at large. I fancy its overall sound and how the heaviness is harmonically blended with good melodies and hooks. From this point and over, Mindtech, if everything works out okay, should have a progressive course in the metal scene. Not only can they do it, but they also merit such course.
Assuredly, with such a line-up one could expect nothing less than prog-ish metal with heavy/power metal elements and melodic & atmospheric references. This is exactly the case here. The musicianship is strong (how could it be different?), the melodies are strong and the metal attitude is pervasive. The bass was recorded by Linus Abrahamson (Andromeda, Asymmetry, Anton Johansson’s Galahad Suite, Citadellion etc.). The other two guests, are the vocalists: Linda Kvam (a local pop/country singer), who signs on “Sons of God” & Anette Uvaas Gulbrandsen (Sabbathian/Leave’s Eyes), who has done some “multi-vocals” on “Resistance”. The production duties have been taken care of by Thor-Axel, the mixing was done by Børge Finstad (Mayhem, Tristania, Arcturus, Big Bang etc.), at Toproom Studio and the mastering by Markus Teske (Vanden Plas, Mob Rules, Red Circuit etc.), at Bazement Studio, Germany. The final outcome is full & heavy.
It’s true that “Elements of Warfare” is full of that “distinct” prog, heavy, power, melodic, atmospheric & intense essence which mostly emanates through Norwegian or Scandi bands at large. I fancy its overall sound and how the heaviness is harmonically blended with good melodies and hooks. From this point and over, Mindtech, if everything works out okay, should have a progressive course in the metal scene. Not only can they do it, but they also merit such course.