Italians are known for their symphonic power metal and Hyperion are another addition to that scene. This, the band's only effort to date, was released back in 1999.

Hyperion's power metal is devoid of any surprises. Riffage is pretty rough, but when the production is lame, this can't be said to be ripping. Keyboards sound cheap, and there's certainly a lot of baroque style stuff, and not very well done. This album features absolutely magnificent cover artwork by Keith Parkinson, but there is no Egyptian elements before 'Neverending Wind'. Guitar solos are lively. At times the band have managed to come up with catchy songs, e.g. 'Perpetual Burn' and 'Neverending Wind', but mostly the songs are too long in duration and too empty in their contents. The vocals carry a bad accent and singer goes beyond his capabilities, especially with higher notes, which happens a lot. I've never been too keen about "helium" screams (except King Diamond's voice, hehe), and the vocalist does them constantly. And the voice wobbles, not really staying in right notes. The band does not sound tight, especially the drummer is incompetent and his work asynchronous. The production work is on nowadays' demo quality level. Overally, the sound is kind of muffled, except for the vocals.

Hyperion have waned into the mass of power metal bands. 'Where Stone Is Unscarred' is very average on song writing quarter, embodying lame production and vocals. It is hard to recommend this album to anyone except to the most fanatic enthusiasts of Italian power metal, who want it all.

Rating: 4 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
06/15/2008 20:38