Energetic Anthems, Heartfelt Ballads and Imaginative Epics - A Review of Lords of Black's Alchemy of Souls Part I

Lords of Black is a Spanish heavy metal quartet that deserves more acclaim, approval and attention than it has gotten so far. All four members have been or are still involved in numerous interesting bands and projects. Bassist Daniel Criado was once involved in progressive death metal group Kaothic. Drummer Johan Nunez is also involved in Greek heavy and power metal band Firewind and has also recorded records with American progressive power metal group Kamelot. Bassist, guitarist and keyboardist Antonio Garcia Hernando doesn't only have a successful solo career but has also performed with Spanish heavy and power metal veterans Saratoga. Singer Ronald Romero has been involved in American heavy metal group Rainbow for seven years as I'm writing these lines and is also the vocalist of Japanese all-star power metal group Destinia. It doesn't come as a surprise that Lords of Black's regular releases ooze with atmosphere, creativity and power from start to finish. Alchemy of Souls might be considered the quartet's greatest accomplishment thus far. It has been divided into two albums that have been released less than a year apart. This first strike features eleven songs for a total length of fifty-eight minutes.

This record offers everything heavy metal fans could be craving for. The opening ''Dying to Live Again'' convinces with dynamic, playful and versatile rhythm section. The guitar work is outstanding with its swaggering riffs and technically appealing solos. The vocals sound charismatic, juvenile and uplifting. The songwriting is concise and doesn't waste one single second. The chorus is infectious and won't leave your mind anytime soon upon listening to it for the very first time. This song is bound to be a crowd pleaser and fans are eagerly waiting for a world tour once the pandemic will be slowing down for good.

Lords of Black can also show a different side as shown in the emotional, heartfelt and mellow closer ''You Came to Me''. This inspired ballad even features some elegant piano sounds that complement the passionate vocals perfectly. Once again, the songwriting gets to the point in two and a half minutes and leaves listeners on a thoughtful note that will resonate for quite a while.

The band's greatest material might however be its most epic tunes such as title track ''Alchemy of Souls''. The track breaks the ten-minute mark but sounds perhaps half as long. This is due to the cinematic atmosphere, fluid changes and catchy melodies that make this masterpiece an entertaining, fluid and memorable ride. If you want to listen to one single song to discover this band, this song will do both your purpose and the band's quality justice.

At the end of the day, Lords of Black's Alchemy of Souls Part I is an atmospheric, creative and powerful heavy metal record with energetic anthems, heartfelt ballads and imaginative epics. Any genre fan should both listen to and purchase this album. Once you have bought this excellent grower, you should add the almost equally convincing Alchemy of Souls Part II to your collection. Lords of Black is certainly one of the most interesting contemporary heavy metal bands to be around. It convincingly proves that this genre is everything but dead and that the legends of yore can retire in peace in a few years.

Final Rating: 90%