MORGANA LEFAY — Rumours of Rain (review)

MORGANA LEFAY — Rumours of Rain album cover Demo · 1992 · Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
UMUR
"Rumours of Rain" is a demo album release by Swedish power metal act B>Morgana Lefay. The demo was independently released in 1992. Morgana Lefay formed in 1989 and self-financed and independently released their debut full-length studio album "Symphony Of The Damned" in 1990. The release of the debut album didn´t lead to a label deal though, hence the recording of "Rumours of Rain", which was released to promote Morgana Lefay and secure them a record contract, which it eventually did, as they signed with Black Mark Production shortly after the release of "Rumours of Rain".

Stylistically the material on "Rumours of Rain" is a natural continuation of the US influenced power metal style of "Symphony Of The Damned" (1990). Savatage is the most obvious influence, and lead vocalist Charles Rytkönen has a voice and delivery similar to the voice and delivery of Jon Oliva. Not the worst singer to be compared to. Needless to say that the vocal part of the music is one of the great assets of the band´s sound. Morgana Lefay are a very well playing band too, and the instrumental part of the music is delivered with great skill and passion. Powerful heavy rhythms, sharp heavy riffs, blistering solos and harmonies, and the occassional use of keyboards for atmosphere enhancement.

The material is generally well written and powerful US power metal and every track on the album is worth a listen. The cover of "Razamanaz" by Nazareth is decent too. "Modern Devil" features a couple of semi-thrashy riffs, but other than that this is just heavy and dark US power metal. All tracks from the demo would be re-recorded and included on Morgana Lefay´s second full-length studio album "Knowing Just as I" from 1993, so there is high level songwriting quality here.

"Rumours of Rain" is a demo release though, and it´s audible in terms of the sound quality. My guess is that most of the instrumental tracks were recorded live in the studio, and only vocals (at least the backing, harmony, and choirs vocal parts) and maybe lead guitars and keyboards were overdubbed. You can hear what´s going on in the mix, but "Rumours of Rain" is not a particularly well sounding release. The unpolished demo production thankfully doesn´t disguise the fact that there are some great tracks on the demo. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.
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