Parousia
Wake The Dead
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
Power metal with lots of muscle. Parousia (pronounced "Pair-u-see-uh") rock with thunderous authority. They go after the straight-ahead style of power metal a la Barren Cross. You need to have your chops down to tackle this style of metal, or it shows. Parousia is almost there. You can feel the power of their music and can also pick up a slight lack of tightness and passion--which should come with time. The fair production of the tape holds back these fine tunes a little bit.
This 4-song tape is no slouch, though. Shaun Key's guitar runs are hot and so is the rhythm section of drummer Greg Key and bassist Rick St. Clair. Jimmy Reed, who sings and plays rhythm guitar, can wail pretty good. He cuts loose a few times here.
"Vigilant Warrior" is a highlight, with a cool hook running through the song. These guys are pretty good songwriters.
I don't know if this tape is commercially available. It may just serve as an introduction to the band. It has a band interview on the other side.