By 1990 all the elements of power metal had
been stabilized, and all the classics were already released, rendering the huge
portion of upcoming power metal bands unoriginal and derivative. Well, gimmicks
certainly didn’t stop the majority of power metal bands from bringing forth
their own material, and USPM obscures Outlander were yet another group lost in
the hazy vortex of time, flushed back into the pitch black bowels of shadowy
obscurity. Outlander’s excursion of classic USPM metal is surely just another
predictable splash in the face of a USPM veteran, but the their sole demo and
release defines the old school power metal sound as we know it, elegantly
engrossing the simply set, classic textures with the band’s own touch, and
representing power metal in a way that could be separated both from its cumulative
peers and the later-coming wave of modernized freaks that always kept their
power metal at busier stance.
Outlander’s ‘’Beckoning’’ is nearly
magical. It’s epic and captures the perfect soothing atmosphere within mere
seconds, slathers it with some sombre overtones, and presents the ultimate
eighteen minute endowment for a USPM fan. Outlander keeps the riffs fairly arduous
and confusing, frequently delivering tasty rays of haunting melodies and catchy
mid paced riffs. All the works go alongside each other consistently sans and
exciting spice to cheer you up, constantly preserving the well-earned darkness
of its nature, especially culminating in the delicate clean guitar/melody
fusion, ‘’Coma’’. The demo is dynamic, though, but it simply isn’t keen on keeping
the joyful and ecstatic mood of power metal, yet another reason it manages to
outshine many of its peers. The extreme
ecstasy is palpable in the extra melodious segments however, and with the
soaring screams of the vocalist, the atmosphere alternates into a dark,
haunting aura.
Even the thrashy riffs which don’t feel
like anything out of the ordinary are surprisingly furious, lively and spiking,
although I must still say that the demo has no instant ruptures, only riffs
that progress with a continuous manner, slowly, incessantly ascending and
descending into various riffs, rather than abruptly flashing into one riff to
another. The ascensions and descents are exceedingly well done, and one of the
great part of the album, the slow fluctuation is formed. With all of its
traits, ‘’Beckoning’’ proves to be an excellent release, and an even better
demo. It surpasses its imprisoning limits and reaches to a point where it
naturally enlarges. It’s a shame that it’s the only release of the band, but
sad things happen, and when they do we must learn to cherish what we hold as
precious. Like this demo.
Highlights
''Coma''
''Final Day''
''The Beckoning''
Final Rating
Awesome [8.5/10]
