Science-fiction influenced Aquilla are here with their latest album in the form of ‘Mankind’s Odyssey.’ Prepare for a theatrical performance and the unexpected!

REVIEW

Who doesn’t love a slab of heavy metal filled with subtle throw backs to 80’s combined with heavy influences taken from science-fiction films? Polands Aquilla certainly deliver this by the barrel load and their current album is a prime example of this! Sprinkle on top over the top moments with ringing high pitched vocals and you have ‘Mankind’s Odyssey.’

We kick of the album with Echoes of the Past which is a short intro track clocking in at just over a minute! We start with a soundscape of haunting sounds and synth drone before a spooky, evil voice comes up almost sounding like Darth Vader. He sets up the setting and story for which i presume will be the theme running through the album! Interesting start and certainly different!

Arrival warmly welcomes pure classic metal madness. The songs intro starts of with singing harmonised guitars and galloping guitar rhythms before kicking into the real body of the track. Expect sky high falsetto moments, speeding guitars that sound like they just had a dose of nitros and plenty of groups shouts to pump your fist in the air too! As you move through the track there is no slowing down with fast and furious rhythms and pure shredding madness!

Pathfinder explodes with a falsetto scream from Blash Raven backed by a bashing thrash beat and gritty guitars that chop and change tempos. One thing that is heavily present is Blashes very theatrical vocal harmonies that give a somewhat unique twist to Aquilla’s music. Pathfinder seems to follow similar ideas of previous songs with plenty of attitude and aggression.

Scarlet Skies drifts in with wind, a gentle breeze, before introducing the twanging of the bass and a slow but almost heroic harmonised guitar melody. Soon the music transitions into a passage of low and moody emotional guitar that feels almost reminiscent of Cauldron. Unexpectedly a low booming voice comes in like something you would find in an 80s sci-fi film. Different but it gives something unique to this bands musical style. The song then continues at a steady pace welcoming Blash Raven who carries the song forward, backed by the emotional tone that the guitars continue to play out. We get pick up of pace and the tone of the song instantly changes to something more brighter, and more up lifting. Finally the bright solos carry the song out ending a very interesting listening experience!

The Awakening kicks in with a quick dose of atmospheric sounds before hitting hard with kick patterns and playful spits of too and throw guitars before launching into a double kick thunder and lightning rhythm guitars. The song presents a slightly darker tone at points and has plenty melody but the build up of backing vocal shouts and leads is where the song starts to pick up. The solo section is particularly exciting and keeps the break neck winds going before going out with plenty of drum punches and woahs!

Next up is Rapt in Darkness which is a playful and somewhat frantic track! It’s upbeat and some what feels like a journey through an eerie place with its concoction of build ups and breakdowns, evil and menacing riffing and dramatic vocal melodies. Spooky moments are plentiful and high pitched vocal cries are more than present. And as we run towards the last 1/4 of the song the tone changes. You are introduced to a breakdown of bass twangs, soft drifting words and light airy guitar ideas, before a slow build up to take the song to its end.

Up next is the song Intersection. Once again the the style continues with similar ideas to previous songs on the album. It has catchy harmonised melodies, interesting flowing vocal ideas and of course is topped off by the falsetto squeals of Blash Raven. Chuck in breaks of scaling guitar riffs and a flavoursome solo that squeals and delights, Intersection proves to be another solid number!

Saviors of the Universe takes off with fast picking and big stabs before introducing a number of tempo changes, group chants and off course a massive scream! This track has a lot of flair and velocity that creates energy and excitement, something that Aquilla are all very familiar with. Saviors of the Universe shouts are common place and will have you shouting loud and pumping your fists high! The solo screams and sings with feelings that flourish and delight!

New Dawn of Evadera awakens with soft floating pads, topped with an 80s style synth pattern that really takes you back in time. Think back to those classic 80s sci-fi films, full of fantasy, dreams and journeys. A short piece that I was hoping would develop into something more. An interesting song that has potential to develop cut short too soon!

Zero [Bonus Track] Takes off with a fighter aircraft engine sounds and takeoff, big open guitar chords and a flurry of guitar scales. Speeding through the skies is exactly how this song feels like with its thunderous bass and drum patterns, hurtling rhythm guitars from Chris and Kriss and electric vocal lines from Blash Raven. Big shouts, deep woahs and shrill falsetto screams are well placed in this epic adventure of a song!

Conclusion

This is my first time listening to Aquilla and I have to say this is somewhat of an interesting band. The theatricality of Blash Ravens vocals is something that took me a while to get use to and the band certainly has its retro/ sci-fi moments which add to this unique musical concoction. The album has plenty of great things going on with ripping riffs, falsetto screams, and a force not to be messed with within the rhythm section. I think that the music is an acquired taste and may not be for everyone. For fans of Aquilla, you are going to love it! If your looking for a show then ‘Mankind’s Odyssey’ delivers!

THENWOTHM SCORE: 7.10

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