LABŸRINTH — Return to Heaven Denied (review)

LABŸRINTH — Return to Heaven Denied album cover Album · 1998 · Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Stephen
Labyrinth's third album, "Return To Heaven Denied", marked the first and also last appearance of singer Rob Tyrant, after replacing Joe Terry (also known as Fabio Lione) when he decided to join Rhapsody of Fire. Tyrant has an exceptional range and he wandered easily at the high register area, providing a remarkable vocal fill throughout the fast-paced songs, embalmed with a stunning technical play of the duo Thorsen/Rain. Their musical style is a mix between a well-executed power metal with a trace of neoclassical element and a low-complexity progressive touch, a very interesting combination.

My fave tracks of the album are : "Moonlight", a powerful track with a dynamic tempo and a breathtaking chorus; "Lady Lost In Time" with its commercial and dreamy chorus; "State of Grace" with a dominating keyboard packed with Iron Maiden-ish riffage; "Thunder", an aggressive rhythm section with thunderous solos. This track is their best here and surely will be highly appraised by any power metal fans; and the closer, "Die For Freedom", a great prog/power tune with a huge chorus. I can't find any filler here, to be honest, every track is just great and different. Take an example of "Feel", a trance-style keyboard kick in accompanied by a reverbed distorted guitar, you will feel like you're in a discotheque watching a blasting instrumental metal act or "Falling Rain", a passionate ballad that's slightly reminiscent of Bruce Dickinson's "Tears of A Dragon".

"Return To Heaven Denied" is certainly an applauding effort by the Italian six-men band, a compelling record for those who loves the furious style of Judas Priest, the melodic speed of early Helloween, the classical passage of Yngwie Malmsteen, and perhaps a bite of Dream Theater's progressive touch. This is a complete package, a diverse and non-ordinary power metal offering, a brilliant album!
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