Time Signature
The Strength of the metal...
Genre: power metal
A lot of power metal tends to be pompuous, often bordering on the extremely cheesy. Now, this pompuousity and cheesiness has very much become an integral part of the pwer metal genre. Generally, I have no problem with this, but sometimes I think it can be too much. And then it's refreshing with power metal bands who focus on the power and on the metal and less on being epic and pompuous, such as Nevermore, Rawhead Rexx, Vicious Rumors, and Harrow.
Harrow's fourth and last album "Embrace the World" is a power metal effort which draws on thrash metal and some traditional heavy metal. While there are some symphonic tendencies on this album, the focus is on power, melody and heavy metal guitars, and the symphonic effects are kept in the background. There are also some unusual elements, which reflect a sort of progressive mindset, such as the saxophone solo on "Life Lies Down".
"Life Lies Down" is a noteworthy track because of the sax solo. Another stand-out track is the King Diamond-esque "Masquerade of War" as is the title track "Embrace the World" which is almost a regular progressive metal track.
I think that fans of traditional metal and power metal who need a break from cheesiness will appreciate this album, which is a very good power metal album. Perhaps some thrash metal fans will like it, too.