Hell Awaits
Angels of Babylon are on the label Metal Heaven and were put together by the main man from another band; Holy Hell - that’s a lot of celestial references in one go for the band’s debut "Kingdom of Evil". A debut album that turns out to be a very earthbound listen.
Rhino (ex-Manowar) has recruited Danny Ellefson (former Megadeth exile) to handle bass duties and two newcomers in the shape of singer Dave Fefolt and six stringer Ethan Brosh for this hard rockin’ record. Dave’s Dio-esque wail soars over the unfussy rhythm section while Brosh riffs and shreds competently throughout. Opener ‘Conspiracy Theory’ liberally borrows from Judas Priest’s classic ‘Breaking the Law’ while ‘Night Magic’ is very reminiscent of Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow. ‘Tear out My Heart’ is a full throated, teary eyed power ballad complete with piano and synthesized string section. The album boasts a title track and band anthem which is maybe going a bit far. Religion baiting ‘Kingdom of Evil’ has a nice Eastern tinged acoustic guitar intro but quickly descends into a generic chug (and surely Ellefson remembers playing on the superior song which inspired this one - ‘Holy Wars’). ‘Angels of Babylon’ merely shows off Brosh’s guitar chops. Closer ‘Second Coming’, however, might be the best thing on the record. Over the course of its seven cinematic minutes the band lay down a sinister and towering rhythm under a rousing vocal and suddenly it all clicks. An atmospheric piano coda closes the record just as it got good, which is a shame.
Angels of Babylon aren’t exactly...ahem, heaven sent but for fans of European and classic heavy metal there’s enough here to keep you entertained for 40 minutes.