Dark Power Metal comes storming out of the Holy Land once again. Israel’s own DESERT has released “Prophecy Of The Madman”. Laced with symphonic keys, heavy guitar riffs, a fast-paced backbone and a strange lead vocalist. DESERT opens up with “Dawn of the New World”. The song gives you a keyboard grand entrance followed by 2 bass drums doing 90mph. The vocalist Alexei Raymar has a very unusual style, which I will get to later.

The title song, “Prophecy Of The Madman” is somewhat theatrical sounding, with wavy keys giving off the vibe of a sultry horror flick. The vocals, which I was saying were strange points me towards Boris Pickett, remember him “The Monster Mash” cross him with Bela Lugosi (aka Dracula) and that is what you get. Yes strange! The guitar work has a good sound, as does the song.

“Lion and Hawk” has that slow, driving guitar chug with again the very strange vocals. I like parts of the song but when you add the double time in the song it kills it, but then again that’s part of the power metal thing... “The Desert” lays out a great slow melodic guitar chug. Lingering behind the scenes are chants of old monks coming to get ya! Vocals are a bit much for me but other than that a decent song. “Sacred Throne” jumps up at you with a type of 1, 2 ethnic folk beat, different but nothing special. “More Than Life” the final cut has again the chanting monks (keys) overall a boring tune.

I know this is a Dark Power Metal CD and you know I love drums but you really don’t need to have the Gatling Gun bass drums running at random. The band has talent and should really take a look at what they write, because there are signs of serious good tunes. There is nothing special about the band and they might just be an acquired taste, I guess! The vocals are very strange sounding, and if that is what you are after, than they have accomplished that, but for me, “ Hello Bela Lugosi” !

Passing on this one!