ANTHENORA “Soulgrinder” /CD/

The second full-length studio album by Italian Heavy/Power Metal band.
With the band's second album, we can see the small, various changes within Anthenora’s approach to their music. The music became heavier and fiercer, as its composers concentrated less on making their new release more 80s like, as it was on the debut. "Soulgrinder" delivers a well-done meld of Old and New School Heavy/Power Metal. The choosing of a rather more modernized sound made wonders for Anthenora. Furthermore, on "Soulgrinder", unlike on the debut, the vocals by Luigi Bonansea are better. Therefore, when it comes to the music, Anthenora served themselves well.
As far as the material goes, it is pretty much the same as on "The Last Command", the songs are chopping and crunching with the sense of Heavy/Power Metal. The themes did not change as well and that is the reason why WWII stories of valour and other fantasy epics are presented with pride, and it won’t ever seem to change.
When testing the overall production, it’s a different story, it looks as if Anthenora wanted to sound heavier and stronger on their new release, that is why they practised their music, under the 80s roots, while introducing a modernized sound. The result is obvious, hard crunchy guitars with hints and moments of almost Thrash-like and crude bass. The compositions presented are fast and speedy as on their earlier material, yet there are tracks that put aside the speed piece and spread out, to a certain extent, to slightly slower tunes. Through these slow tempo demonstrations, you would find it easier to see how these guys progressed as they use modern, joined up with old influences. 
Alongside the instruments and the rhythms, there is the massive improvement in the vocal district. Luigi Bonansea much better with his singing in English as opposed to the debut. As the music got a lot heavier, his pattern became rather crooked and raspy. Moreover, he became relatively fluent and emotional with the lyrics and listeners will actually have the ability to recognize what he is singing about.
All in all, the album is worth to be in your CD player. So, give it a chance and check it out!
My Graveyard Productions, 2006 (MGP004). Made in Italy. First press.


Tracklist:
1. June 6, 1944, Overlord 1:11
2. Dawn Of Blood 3:45
3. Orde Of Hate 4:36
4. A New Rebellion 4:10
5. Soulgrinder 4:43
6. The Call Of The Undead 4:35
7. Hundred Knives 5:01
8. Fatherland 5:18
9. Cassandra 4:52
10. Hellish Fire 5:20
11. Dream Catcher 5:17
12. Steel Brigade 4:18
Total playing time: 53:08 min.