GREAT MASTER - UNDERWORLD
UNDERGROUND SYMPHONY
Metal To Infinity
Axeman
John Carlini was the one who formed Great Master as a quintet way back in the
early 90’s – the band did it very well first period of existence…
channeling the spirit of glorious eighties gods Manilla Road and Heavy Load,
they delivered the goods as it should be. A demo called “The Great Master”
(1995) and a second demo entitled “Rising Storm” (1999) saw daylight and got
good response from the Metal press and fanbase! As heard from so many other
bands, also Great Master swam through trouble waters but in the end, all became
to a good end. Since day one of existence until today, I count 16 years and
that’s quite a long time. Without good ambitions and a real heart for Metal
music, you wouldn’t survive these years at all so my conclusion is that Great
Master has been made from the right sort of solid steel!
Their
brand new album “Underworld” actually was written in 2000 and mixed a few
years later on – unfortunately, it never came to a release. Italian record
label Underground Symphony offered the band a record deal, basically a well
deserved present for their faith in Metal for almost 2 decades! Started as a
5-piece formation, the new album “Underworld” counts only three members but
don’t be afraid – these three guys are skilled enough to bring it all to a
very good end! Metal is in their veins and that is what I’ve heard while
finding myself a way through the entire album “Underworld”.
It
has to be said that it’s typical Italian styled Metal music or should I say (to
be more specifically) Melodic Power Metal spiced with a lot of epic influences.
The guitar riffs are quite simple played, still they keep my attention way up
high. No need to bring on complicated guitar moves if it isn’t necessary –
Epic Power Metal can be offered in a simple way without a doubt… Great Master
proves it here in a very attractive manner. Singer Max Bastasi matches perfectly
for this type Metal band, he’s able to combine melancholy vocal use with high
pitch shrieks and I like that, yes I am! Other great singers linger on in my
head to compare are Tim Lachman (ex-US Metal band Gargoyle) or Lenny Rizzo (ex-Exxplorer).
To
made up my mind about great songs to detect on “Underworld”, I definitely
like to mention opener ‘Eagles Of 20th.’, ‘Ghost Ship’,
‘The Battle Of Lost Heroes’ (with a fantastic high pitch scream reminiscent
to almighty James Rivera from legendary Helstar! Also listen up to other
highlights as ‘King Of The Night’ and ‘The Lost Secret…Underworld’ as
well!
According
to myself, “Underworld” is a very good effort from a band that won’t win
any prices for original moves at all… it’s just epic touched all over and
offered in a simple but attractive, pleasant way to listen at. Eye catching
element besides is the entire look of this digipack edition. Perfectly worked
out with colour full, brilliant fantasy artwork – last but not least, the
sound quality reaches a level far above the average.
I’ve
heard many Italian, so called Euro Power Metal acts and to be honest I have to
say that many of them couldn’t hold up my complete attention any longer.
Sometimes, they even started to annoy myself (originality far gone you know) but
Great Master just gave me hope again with the release of “Underworld”. Let
the future be straight and deliver us some more like this in hope my belief in
nowadays Euro Power Metal recovers completely. Go check Great Master at: www.myspace.com/greatmasterit
My Points: 84 / 100 (Review by Stefan)