Distant Past
Rise of the Fallen
Pure Steel Publishing
2016
Distant Past comprises of 3 former members of Swiss metallers Emerald and a few other people, including on this fifth album of theirs the singer chap from Gloryhammer (who I have the constant tendency to call as Gloryhole ooops) haha. The former Emerald triumvirate of personnel, sort of carries over some of the metal, but the idea with “distant past” is somewhat watered down with more prog atmospherics and a more varied power metal variant, than the more straightforward style that Emerald had – at least the albums of theirs I was exposed to.
In particular this album is thematic, with its concept revolving about Christ being tempted by the Devil and all that shenanigans and it follows the Lord up to the Cross and higher and all that again. Without however scoring any real highlights, it’s solid enough and the addition of the Gloryhammer guy, Thomas Winkler, on vocals just helps a bit, without diluting the style or making this sound too “happy”, but if you expected a life changing experience, “Rise of the Fallen” is unlikely to provide you with one. It’s fairly decent and fair for what it is, but it doesn’t go the “extra mile” to become something that stands out from the crowd.
In particular this album is thematic, with its concept revolving about Christ being tempted by the Devil and all that shenanigans and it follows the Lord up to the Cross and higher and all that again. Without however scoring any real highlights, it’s solid enough and the addition of the Gloryhammer guy, Thomas Winkler, on vocals just helps a bit, without diluting the style or making this sound too “happy”, but if you expected a life changing experience, “Rise of the Fallen” is unlikely to provide you with one. It’s fairly decent and fair for what it is, but it doesn’t go the “extra mile” to become something that stands out from the crowd.