Angels of Babylon – Kingdom of Evil

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This new project achieved immediate notoriety due to the presence of David Ellefson on bass, but Angels of Babylon are genuinely strong in every area, and their debut album contains all of the elements of classic heavy metal. David Fefolt’s Jorn Lande-esque vocals are a real highlight and his performance is flawless throughout the disc, while former Manowar bassist “Rhino” and Ellefson form one of the most muscular rhythm sections that will probably be heard all year. The final piece is guitarist Ethan Brosh who spends most of the disc playing solid metal riffs, with occasional groove (stand-out track Tarot) with elements of the traditional and power genres, and when he delivers a solo they are either emotive and thoughtful (Apocalypse 2012 intro) or blistering (Oh How The Mighty Have Fallen). The main aim of the album is melodic metal without sacrificing heaviness, and that is achieved, but in addition there are more expansive moments like dark, brooding closer Second Coming, the Spanish guitar intro to the title track and piano/orchestral instrumental The Remnant. Although touring seems, at the moment, unlikely, Kingdom of Evil is a surefire traditional metal classic.

Written by Andy Lye
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