UMUR
"Eight Moons" is the debut full-length studio album by UK progressive power/thrash metal act Biomechanical. The album was released through AMUST4MUSIC in 2002. It was a very limited edition release though and a more official release was handled by Revolver Records in October 2003.
The music on the album is a combination of stylistic elements from many musical genres. The vocals are mostly delivered in a raw US power metal type style, but occasionally cross over into more progressive territories (and when they do, remind me slightly of Daniel Gildenlöw from Pain of Salvation) while the riffing style features elements from both thrash, groove thrash, and power metal. On top of that there are keyboards/synths that add atmosphere. They are placed tastefully low in the mix, but are an important ingredient in the band´s sound.
Biomechanical is a very well playing act, and everything is delivered with precision and passion. It´s mostly lead vocalist John K. (real name Yiannis Koutselinis) that steals the show though. He is an incredibly powerful vocalist. Not completely unlike Rob Halford (Judas Priest) at his most raw and aggressive, but there´s a nod towards Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche) in the vocals too. The music is raw and groove thrashy, but also melodic and the closing trio (it´s a kind of suite) of tracks see the band steer fully into progressive territories with both dark atmospheres, cinematic sections, and complex melodies.
The sound production is professional, raw and powerful. With music like this there´s always the danger that it becomes too polished and clean, but Biomechanical obviously favour aggression and rawness, which are very charming and defining features on "Eight Moons". As a consequence of the rather distinct sounding and raw/screaming type vocals "Eight Moons" will probably not appeal to every metal fan on the planet, but if you can enjoy the vocals (personally I find them fantastic) and think a combination of groove thrashy riffing, semi-progressive ideas, and melodic and memorable power metal choruses, is something you´ll enjoy I can highly recommend this album. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.