angels of babylon kingdom of evil

Released: 01 February 2010 Label: Metal Heaven

Kingdom of Evil is the debut release from new US melodic power metal outfit Angels of Babylon. Vocalist David Fefolt and guitarist Ethan Brosh join forces with the moderately more famous Dave Ellefson (ex-Megadeth) and drummer Rhino (ex-Manowar), who has apparently been compiling some of these songs for years, while waiting for the optimal line up to do them justice.

That must be why it sounds so dated then. Just kidding!

Actually this power metal release ain’t half bad at all. The songs are distinctive and polished, without being too slick or assembly-line in their production. There’s an element of Dio-era Rainbow here, with involved arrangements, soaring vocals, impressive keys and distinctive solos.

Conspiracy Theory and Apocalypse 2012 are mid paced rockers with decent hooks and get the album off to an imposing start.

Night Magic has an impressively speedy guitar solo, but the repetitive chorus may grate with repeated listens.

Tear Out My Heart is a great power ballad full of commanding vocal tones, a sympathetic string arrangement to augment the ringing open chords, and a much better melodic development than many songs of this kind can muster. For once too, the lyrics don’t overshadow the vocals with their ineptitude.

Title track Kingdom of Evil is the heaviest tune with an incessant riff that challenges you to keep your head still or not tap your foot along as it’s that catchy!

The uncredited (on the review copy at least) keyboards are excellent on this album, serving to add an extra dimension to the music – not least on the entirely instrumental The Remnant, with it’s excellent string arrangement.

Overall Kingdom of Evil is a solid AOR release, of consistently high quality song writing. It kicks ass when it needs to, but slows down enough when the time is right to wave a lighter in the air.

With the recent announcement though that Dave ‘Junior’ Ellefson has kissed and made up with fellow born-again Christian Dave Mustaine and re-joined Megadeth, I hope that he finds time to continue with Angels of Babylon or at least, is replaced with as competent a bassist, as it would be a shame if this released remained a one off from the band.

by Steven Hargraves