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One of the better power metal bands, hailing from Russia, singing in Russian. It was founded by guitarist Yuri Melisov in early 90s. The debut album, "Volya K Zhizni (Will For Life)," was released in 1998, followed by a more mature work, "Na Krayu Vremeni (On The Edge Of Time)" (1999). The band's lineup began to stabilize, and at the late 90s consisted of Pavel Okunev (vocals), Yuri Melisov (guitars, vocals), Roman Zaharov (guitars), and Andrei Laptev (drums). Relative success came to the band in the form of a new vocalist, Max Samosvat, formerly of Lady Prowler, who joined the band in time to record "Zagadka Volshebnoi Strany" (Secret Of The Magic Land)" (2001). Soon the band members have undertaken their most ambitious project yet: recording of an all-star metal opera, "Elfiiskaya Rukopis (The Elven Manuscript)," with members of Aria, Master, Boney Nem, and other Russian metal artists. Currently the line-up includes Samosvat (also presently a singer for the English-language project, Mechanical Poet), Melisov, Ilya Knyazev (bass), Ilya Mamontov (guitars), and Roman Valeriev (keys). The band has recently re-recorded their old songs for the compilation "Life In Twilight" (2005).
ЗАГАДКА ВОЛШЕБНОЙ СТРАНЫ
(SECRET OF THE MAGIC LAND) (2001)
RATING: ****
BEST SONGS: "Chernyj Mag (The Black Mage)," "Hozhdenie Za Tree Morya (Quest Beyond The Three Seas)," "Feanor"
If you are, like me, looking for an early Nocturnal Rites style power metal band, this album definitely satisfies. Catchy and fresh sounding melodies with occasional Russian folk hooks, youthful vocals of Samosvat (who sounds nothing like any of his numerous voices in Mechanical Poet, but rather like NR's Anders Zakrisson), and energetic delivery make it a worthy acquisition for any fan of "Tales Of Mystery And Imagination" and "The Sacred Talisman." Unfortunately, this album suffers from the unnecessary love songs at the end, one of which, "I Prayed For You," became a national hit. But the highlights are indeed great, mostly because they all have good melodic hooks: opening "The Black Magi," followed by "Quest Beyond The Three Seas" (inspired by the tale of journeys of Afanasy Nikitin, a medieval Russian traveler), epic "Feanor," a cute title track, and an English-language bonus track, "Living In Twilight." As one can tell from the titles, the lyrics (in Russian) draw the inspiration from Tolkien and other fantasy topics, which are hugely popular in Russia. I must especially mention the guitars: fretwork of Melisov and Zaharov, again, reminds me of two Nilses from Nocturnal Rites. While not as solid as it could have been, this album made me interested in further exploring Epidemia's catalog.
ЭЛЬФИЙСКАЯ РУКОПИСЬ
(ELVEN MANUSCRIPT, 2004)
BEST SONGS: "Rozhden Dlya Bitvy (Born For Battle)," "Krov Elfov (Blood Of Elves)," "Na Poroge Ada (On The Hell's Doorstep)"
An ambitious project that works. While the album is, indeed, very similar in both looks and essence to Avantasia, it still stands on its own as very high quality metal opera, featuring what reads like a "who is who" list of the Russian metal scene. The vocal lineup features: Max Samosvat ("Desmond" -- a young half-man / half-elf magician), Andrei Lobashev of Arida Vortex ("Torvald" -- a famous Elven warrior), Arthur Berkut of Aria ("Irdis" -- a court magician), Lexx of Master ("The Inn Keeper"), Dmitry Borisenkov of Black Obelisk ("Deimos" -- an evil king, destroyer of the kingdom of Elves), Kirill Nemolyaev of Boney Nem ("Sky" -- an evil dragon), and Anastasia Chebotareva ("Princess Alatiel" -- Desmond's love and expected victim of Deimos). Instrumental guest performers include Vladimir Holstinin of Aria (also an executive producer for the album, which was recorded in Aria's studio), Alex Granovsky of Master, and several others. Lex Plotnikoff and Tom Tokmakoff of Mechanical Poet participated in the sound production. And the release from such a constellation does not disappoint. One melodic power metal hit piles on top of another. The songs have numerous riff and melody changes, making it a perfect example of power-prog, but the vocal lines are catchy and memorable to a degree that I now remember chorus to every single song. Solos from both Melisov (who was the mastermind behind the script and the whole all-star assembly) and then-second guitarist Ilya Bushuev are intricate and driving, occasionally highlighted by the keys. I must admit, I find Lobashev's abuse of high-end shrills (where he has little control) slightly annoying, but overall the vocal interplays work very nicely. Both Borisenkov and Nemolyaev seem like odd choices for villains (imagine Lemmy Killmister and Alexi Laiho singing on Avantasia!), but they both take their roles seriously enough to provide the opposition for Samosvat's, Lobashev's, and Berkut's high pitches. The low point, vocally, is Ms. Chebotareva -- she is just weak.
"Rozhdennyi Dlya Bitvy" ("Born For Battle"), evil epic "Krov Elfov" ("Blood Of Elves"), "Na Poroge Ada" ("On Hell's Threshold"), "Vechnyi Voitel'" ("Eternal Warrior"), ballady "Romans O Sleze" ("Romance Of A Tear"), and "Magia I Mech" ("Magic And The Sword") are all excellent pieces from the genre of epic power metal that is starting to lose momentum across the world, yet shines bright on this album. The songs are very lively, flow nicely, and, to put it simply, kick ass. The melodies are original enough not to cause any immediate ripoff accusations, although, of course, Avantasia and Rhapsody come to mind occasionally. Overall, this is an splendid release for those who still did not entirely give up on fantasy power metal or even those who did but have enough presence of mind to recognize great album when heard one.
ЭЛЬФИЙСКАЯ РУКОПИСЬ II: СКАЗАНИЕ НА ВСЕ ВРЕМЕНА
(ELVEN MANUSCRIPT II: THE TALE FOR ALL TIMES, 2007)
RATING: 7.5/10
ЛУЧШИЕ ПЕСНИ "Исповедь Первого Бога", "Остров Драконов," "Солнца Свет"
Ну вот и дошел до наших заокеанских мест второй и надо понимать последний диск "Эльфийского Манускрипта" от Эпидемии. Мы снова можем побывать в компании наших любимых героев Дезодоранта, Тормоза, их врага Термоса ("Кровь эльфов на талисман в ночь совмещения Термос прольет"), водочного дракона Skyy, и пр. В общем и целом диск получился хорошим, но не на уровне первой части. Главная проблема – мало настоящих хитовых песен, которыми был полон дебют. Нет шедевров таких как "Рожденный Для Битвы", "На Пороге Ада", и "Кровь Эльфов". Единственная вещь, которая подходит близко – исполненная двумя новичками Александрой Комаровой и Евгением Егоровым песня "Остров Драконов" с ее летящим искрометным припевом. Также симпатична «Исповедь Первого Бога группы Мастер» Михаила Серышева. Серышеву не впервой выступать в роли Божественной Благодати (Суперстар!), и своим пронзительным вокалом он заставляет вспомнить звездные моменты в раннем Мастере. Очевидное усиление по сравнению с предшественником произошло в роли Алатиель – фантастически слабую Чеботареву заменили на Комарову, и это более чем помогло. Остальные роли, в принципе, предсказуемы: все также сдержаный Самосват, все также совершенно не сдерживающийся Лобашев, надрывающийся Борисенков, рычащий Немоляев. Новичков – некоего гроулера "Тролля" в роли гнома (голос абсолютно идентичный Немоляеву, глуповато звучащий на фоне веселенькой музыки в "Владыках Гор"), Екатерину Белобровову в роли драконессы Минатрикс (звучит как более солидная Ким Госс из Sinergy), и Комарову с Егоровым – я не знал, но погоды они не испортили.
Итак, клавишные темы «сил добра» доминируют на альбоме, но в целом не особо раздражают. "Злая" тема, "Без Сердца и Души", тоже неплоха, но все же основательно не дотягивает до "Крови Эльфов", хоть и сделана она с претензией на Queen. К тому же я просто не понимаю фразы "Tот кто сердца и души лишен, с ненавистью не знаком". Мда? И как же тогда это соотносится с воплями "Cмерть, истребленье живого – вот цель моя!"? Какой тут нафиг "Движет их желанием холодный расчет"? Еще повеселила фраза из "Нитей Судьбы": "Вероломный дракон растоптал его флаг". Tак и представляешь дракончика, прыгающего по флажку на земле!
Свежих идей на альбоме немного, но я их и не ждал – жанр power metal находится в предсмертных судорогах (хотя его подвид "dark power metal" продолжает выдавать шедевры), и «Рукопись» представляет собою нечто вроде послесловия к нему. Мелодика вполне нормальная, и к исполнительскому мастерству задействованных лиц претензий быть не может. Я бы сделал поменьше клавишных, но это уже личное. Во всем остальном -- крепко, но не шедевр.
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