To tell the truth, I never would've bought a Nostradameus album, if it wasn't available for ultra-cheap price. I thought to give this, which I got for under 5 Euros, a try, because I remember liking the samples I've heard earlier. 'The Prophet of Evil' is the band's sophomore album from the bunch of five.

The first spin left me with an impression, that Nostradameus have nothing of their own in their music, but at least everything was enjoyably performed. Some spins later I have to admit, that there's not much of Nostradameus's own in the music, if anything. Power metal is the path the band have chosen, and while partly sounding very Swedish indeed, two German bands come to my mind while listening to this: Helloween and Gamma Ray. Swift paced songs, that are very catchy yet still vary from straight ones to more complex compositions, played with a lot of energy. It's a real joy to listen to the band's performance, let me tell you. Guitars (hammering riffage, heroic harmonies, wicked solos, luscious lead work, screaming screetches, you name it!), they are everywhere, just like bass and drums creating the backbone of the music. And there is no keyboards on the album, just piano on the slow song, so it kind of makes this a bit rawer. What Nostradameus do wrong (or right, because this could prove to be a dilemma here) is that the end result sounds too familiar, but thankfully this is not the case throughout the album. Where first two real songs 'Hymn to These Lands' and 'Evil Prophecies' are more on the happy-happy side, 'Murder' turns the album to darker and 'Requiem...' is a good balladish piano/guitar song with some really good singing. 'In Prison' starts with a very Amon Amarth-esque riff, but turns into another power metal song, with Falconer style feel. 'The Escape' and 'The Power's in Your Hand' are neo-classical style songs, and I do not really like this particular style, but the songs are okay, thanks to wild playing and good heavy metal riffs they both contain. 'Gathering Resistance' is Gamma Ray / Iron Savior kind of balls-to-the-wall headbanger. 'The Final Battle' is nicely built epic song packed with many styles and emotions, making it easily one of the highlights on this album. Europe-cover 'Scream of Anger' is a fucking kick-ass version, really, so seek for a version with it!

Vocals are good, not typical clean helium-stuff, but something like a mixture between Kai Hansen and Ralf Scheepers. Okay, Freddy Persson hits high notes easily, but there's edge to his voice, too many times missing on a power metal vocalist's voice. Of course there's choirs on these songs, or what do you expect from power metal, eh?! The lyrics tell a story of a prophet who by lying dethrones king's heir and then it's time for payback... It's a bit boring story, nothing original in it, but at least it makes the music varying with its different emotions during it.

Judging by this album, Nostradameus are another band who are mere followers and not reformers in this genre. However, there is something that makes this band stand different when compared to a million and one similar bands: These guys really rock! And beside that, they really can make a good tune or two. 'The Prophet of Evil' is a nice album for those who search for power metal played in the similar way as the two aforementioned legends, so why not give it a go, as you can be mislead with so many releases today.

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
10/01/2007 20:26