Defending the progressive power metal throne - A review of Galneryus' Into the Purgatory

Galneryus has established itself as progressive power metal heavyweight with previous masterpiece Ultimate Sacrifice. Into the Purgatory now picks up right where the band had left its fans two years earlier. This album convinces with technically stunning yet vibrantly emotional guitar play. The keyboards and organs provide epic progressive soundscapes that add atmosphere and intellectualism at once. The record offers a dynamic and playful rhythm section that doesn't only support the guitars and keyboards but often takes the lead and adds new creative soundscapes. Last but not least, the melodic, powerful and victorious vocals make you want to raise your fists in the air and provide as much conviction, energy and imagination as the instrumental work. In numerous progressive metal bands, the vocals are less impressive, important and convincing but that certainly can't be said about Galneryus. Union makes strength and this winning line-up is the best this band will ever have. Add inspired lyrics in English and Japanese, a refreshingly organic production, a creative cover artwork and you have this beauty of an album.

The opening instrumental ''Purgatorial Flame'' and the closing instrumental ''Roaming in My Memory'' make this album sound whole and offer a perfect balance between atmosphere, melody and skill. If I had been asked what could have been improved on the excellent predecessor, I would have thought about some instrumental overture and coda. This is exactly what Galneryus gives us here. Imagine a mixture of Helloween and Dream Theater and you will have a great idea of what these two short tracks sound like. They aren't fillers but essential to this album.

The eight songs in between convince with grit, melody and speed. ''Never Again'' offers guitar solos that make you want to get down on your knees because you can bearely digest all the beauty, craft and power at once. ''The Followers'' on the other side shows that these excellent musicians haven't forgotten about writing catchy melodies that are immediately stuck on your mind. This track was indeed a perfect single choice. To be honest, this record would have needed a few more tracks of this caliber. What can we say about epic masterpiece ''The End of the Line''? Let's just state that these nine minutes incorporate everything fans like about progressive power metal and that this song is worth being discovered time and again.

Galneryus' Into the Purgatory is a strong candidate for progressive power metal album of the year. It's actually the strongest genre release since the band's own predecessor Ultimate Sacrifice twenty-five months earlier. It's a matter of personal taste whether you prefer the slightly catchier predecessor or the more progressive successor. At the end of the day, you should know, listen to and own both records.

Final rating: 90%