Search - Paragon :: Law of the Blade

Shreddingly good metal - power or otherwise

Bryan Bugaj | California | 08/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have never been very good at categorizing things, so while I would probably call this traditional metal, a lot of critics and experts have put Paragon in the power metal category. And who am I to argue?



This is probably my favorite Paragon album. The opening track, "Abducted" with a terrific complex riff and a wailing solo before launching into the first verse, and pummels the listener with up-tempo mayhem about being whisked away into the night. "Palace of Sin" is a slightly slower opus that describes being trapped in a violent and hedonistic lifestyle. "Armies of the Tyrant" is a slow, grinding song whose subject matter you can probably guess, with a great singalong chorus. "Law of the Blade" the title track, is probably the fastest song on the album, a chaotic vortex of speedy riffs and double-bass thunder. A few of the later songs I didn't particularly care for; some felt like filler, which kept me from giving this album 5 stars. "Back to Glory" is a terrific mid-paced song that muses on recapturing fame and taking chances - has a real adrenaline-rush feel to it. The chorus is truly goosebump-inducing - it's one of the disc's highest moments.



All in all, this a real power metal exhibition - there's plenty of shredding riffs, but also slower parts to keep the whole thing from getting too repetive. The solos are precise and not too overblown, hitting the right mark almost every time, never feeling gratuitous. The drums are hard-hitting and the beats are quite varied. Singer Andreas Babuschkin delivers his lyrics with gusto and skill, and the choruses are a fist-pumping good time.



If you like Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Iced Earth, or other power metal bands, then you'll like Paragon. I highly recommend this album."