Electric shock for the power metal genre - A review of Unlucky Morpheus' Live 2017

Unlucky Morpheus is a band whose discography mostly consists of Touhou arrangement albums. In the past few years, the band has however started writing some original material as well and has also increased tour activities. This brilliant live album is testament to the group's positive development over the past few years.

Unlucky Morpheus plays melodic symphonic metal which doesn't come as a surprise knowing that some of the seven band members play in bands like Japanese power metal institution Galneryus, defunct female-fronted power metal band Light Bringer and brand new power metal quartet Allegiance Reign that one should keep an eye on. However, there are numerous elements that make Unlucky Morpheus stand out. 

First of all, the band uses a lot of classical instruments to make its sound more cinematic, emotional and epic which works particularly well in calmer tracks like the extraordinary ballad ''Imagimak''. 

One must point female lead vocalist Fuki who has a melodic but extremely powerful voice that doesn't sound fragile at all and adds a lot of energy to the ballads while keeping the vivacity of the band's metal foundation in faster tracks like ''Dead Leaves Rising'' that tears your head off with energetic vocals, incredibly fast and melodic guitar leads and a powerful drum solo. 

The band also doesn't shy away from mixing other genres into its own fast paced power metal sound. The fast symphonic power metal track ''Black Pentagram'' is such a great example when additional black metal vocals add some atmosphere and energy to the band sound.

A particularly successful highlight among these thirteen live cuts is the incredibly diversified closer ''Fantasy Lover'' where the septet collaborates with metalcore band Undead Corporation that adds some additional oomph to the band's already powerful sound.

In the end, this brilliant live album is an excellent introduction to one of Japan's most enthusiastic power metal band. You have to take this genre definition literally here because Unlucky Morpheus has a whole lot of creativity, energy and passion. Listening to this record is like an electric shock that lasts for fifty-seven exciting minutes. And if you don't get a heart attack, you will feel like listening to this release over and over again once this highly recommended wild ride is over.

Final rating: 97%