Metalium is a power metal band from Hamburg, Germany. Their style of music is
closer to traditional heavy metal than some of the more progressive and flowery
European power metal bands.
Metalium - Millennium Metal-Chapter One (Pavement) 1999
1. "Circle
of Fate" [intro] (1:47)
2. "Fight" (3:12)
3. "Dream of Doom" (3:33)
4. "Break the Spell" (3:56)
5. "Revelation" (3:21)
6. "Metalium" (4:35)
7. "Metamorphis" (5:18)
8. "Void of Fire" (2:39)
9. "Free Forever" (4:10)
10. "Strike Down the Heathen" (3:44)
11. "Pilgrimage" (5:10)
12. "Metalians" (4:08)
13. "Smoke on the Water" (5:36)
14. "Burning" (5:18)
Power metal madness that borders speed metal at times. Stupid title for this excellent metal work! Track 13 is a Deep Purple cover, obviously, and track 14 is an exceptionally done Accept cover. At the end of track 14 is a hidden "be true to metal sermon." Kind of silly, but then again, maybe not. Metallium are: Chris Caffery (Savatage/Doctor Butcher), Mike Terrana (Yngwie/Doctor Butcher), Lars Ratz, Matthias Lang, and vocalist extraordinary Hanning Basse.
Metalium - State of Triumph-Chapter Two (Pavement) 2000
1. "Elements"
(1:42)
2. "Steel Avenger" (3:21)
3. "Years of Darion" (5:06)
4. "Break Out" (4:11)
5. "Erania" (4:27)
6. "Stygian Flames" (4:16)
7. "Prophecy" (7:55)
8. "Eye of the Storm" (4:24)
9. "Inner Sight" (5:54)
10. "State of Triumph" (7:40)
11. "Music" (5:55)
Metalium Chapter 2 is minus Chris Caffery, which is not surprising as Chris seems to move about from band to band quite a bit. Anyhow, I think Metalium has always been Lars Ratz' baby. The music on disc number two continues in similar manner to disc number one, recalling the days when metal ruled the world. This band style is heavily influenced by German metallers like Helloween and Gamma Ray. Their look, however, is that of a the silver surfer. Strange to say the least. I wonder if they perform in this make-up and silver outfits. Hmmm, probably not. Anyhow, Metalium are yet another band to join Manowar and Hammerfall on a metal crusade to take over the world. This is what is printed at the bottom of the thank you notes: "A loud 'hail' goes out to all metal-warriors who are also fighting this battle for metal and believe in what they are doing and who we are! Never Surrender!!" So there you have it. Fly your metal banner high while rocking to the new champions of the heavy metal wars.
Metalium - Metalian Attack Part 1(Locomotive Music) 2001
CD
1. "Circle of Fate" (1:07)
2. "Fight" (3:35)
3. "Years of Darion" (5:29)
4. "Metalium" (4:52)
5. "Prophecy" (8:29)
6. "Free Forever" (6:23)
7. "Dust in the Wind" (3:11)
DVD contains:
- Shows of two European tours.
- Open air festivals from 1999 - 2001.
- Documentary of 3 years tour life behind the scenes.
- Backstage, nighliner, studio, fans.
OK, so I've had this thing for like a year now and I STILL haven't seen the DVD portion of this collection as of writing this. Frankly, I just don't spend much time watching music. I much prefer listening to it while doing other things. My main interest in "Metalian Attack Part 1" was the live CD, which contains six excellent live tracks. The production is outstanding and the performance is excellent. My only complaint is that I wish it contained more songs. "Dust in the Wind" is a killer cover of the Kansas classic. This song is piano based with only violins and vocals completing the song.
Metalium - Hero Nation-Chapter Three (Massacre) 2002
DISC ONE
1. "Source Of Souls" [prologue] (1:13)
2. "Revenge Of Tizona" (3:45)
3. "In The Name Of Blood" (4:24)
4. "Rasputin" (5:34)
5. "Odin's Spell" (6:26)
6. "Accused To Be A Witch" (4:45)
7. "Throne In The Sky" (3:29)
8. "Oddyssey" (4:35)
9. "Metalian Spirit" [instrumental] (5:28)
10. "Fate Conquered The Power" (5:42)
11. "Infinite Love" (4:59)
12. "Heart of the Tiger" [hidden track] (5:25)
DISC TWO
1. Dream Of Doom" [live] (3:45)
2. Smoke On The Water" [live] (4:57)
3. Multimedia Track
Yet another high energy true metal platter from Metalium. The core of the band remains: Henning Basse: Lead Vocals, Lars Ratz: Bass and Matthias Lange: Guitars. However there are a few guest artists brought in to spice things up a bit; Don Airey (Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath), Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep/Blackfoot) and Tom Naumann (Primal Fear/Sinner). Can't say I hear any major contributions by any of these guys 'cause Metalium still sound like Metalium. As with past efforts, 'Hero Nation' features lots of speedy riffs, double bass, killer solos, souring high vocals and true metal songwriting. Songs like "Throne in the Sky" even pushing the boundaries of thrash metal. So, no one will accuse Metalium of selling out. The one exception is the bizarre ballad-like "Infinite Love" that features a duet between Henning and Carolin Fortenbacher, who has a high, operatic vocal style. While this song still does not have a pop sound, it is certainly more experimental than anything I remember Metalium doing. Despite this fact, I thought the song was quite intriguing I am also not sure that 'Hero Nation' is quite as memorable as 'Millennium Metal' but considering that within the first two days of owning this disc, I had already played it four times, there is absolutely something infectious about it. Perhaps it's just hearing such stellar musicianship and speed metal song craft in a time when everyone wants to sound like Godsmack and Creed, but regardless I love this disc. Long live true metal! Long live Metalium!
This particular presssing is a two disc version, with disc two containing two live tracks, some video material, screensavers, and other multi-media stuff. Disc one also contains an unlisted track that I assume is called 'Eye of the Tiger' and is dedicated to the German boxing champion.
Metalium - As One - Chapter
Four (ICS) 2004
1. "Astral Avatar"
[intro] (1:30)
2. "Warrior" (3:57)
3. "Pain Crawls In The Night" (4:27)
4. "Find Out" (6:29)
5. "No One Will Save You" (4:47)
6. "Meaning Of Light" (1:22)
7. "Illuminated (Opus One)" (9:46)
8. "Meaning Of Light (Reprise)" (1:05)
9. "Athena" (4:46)
10. "Power Strikes The Earth" (5:20)
11. "Screaming In The Darkness" (05:44)
12. "Goddess Of Love and Pain" (4:45)
13. "As One (Finale)" (5:58)
Fast and furious, Metalium are metal warriors in the truest sense. While Manowar are off messing around with opera and ballads, Metalium are sticking to their heavy metal guns. "Warrior" is perhaps one of the fastest and heaviest songs the band has written yet. It is followed up by the equally heavy, yet ever so slightly slowed down "Pain Crawls in the Night". Both these tracks kick this album off with a big bang! I can't imagine any fan of classic heavy metal or modern power metal not enjoying these songs. Henning Basse's vocals sound great, the guitars are heavy, the drums pounding, the bass booming, guitar leads are shredding, etc. It's heavy metal! What more can any metal fan ask for? The European limited edition digipack includes the CD-ROM video of "Pain Crawls In The Night", wallpapers, screensavers and the bonus track "Screaming In The Darkness" as track # 11.
Metalium - Demons of Insanity-Chapter Five (Armageddon Music) 2005
1. "Earth In Pain"
(1:08)
2. "Power Of Time" (4:14)
3. "Demons Of Insanity" (4:29)
4. "Cyber Horizon" (5:24)
5. "Ride On" (6:03)
6. "Endless Believer" (8:06)
7. "Sky Is Falling" (4:29)
8. "Destiny" (4:47)
9. "Mother Earth" (4:12)
10. "Out Of The Silence" (4:33)
11. "Atrocity" (3:38)
12. "Silence Of The Night" (06:03)
13. "Visions Of Paradise" (4:03)
14. "One By One" (5:10)
When Metalium first came onto the scene there was a big buzz about them, partially because of the well known members comprising that band. However, their debut CD was a solid slab of European metal with a slight nod to American bands like Iced Earth. When their second CD came out I was still excited about them and rushed out to get their new CD. However after their third release I didn't have that same excitement about the band and didn't have that same desire to rush out and buy their new CD. Well, with the release of Metalium's fifth full length CD I am sort of wondering what it was that put me off because "Demons of Insanity-Chapter Five" is quality European metal. Perhaps it's just that there is nothing new under the sun here. I mean, I personally prefer when bands stick to their guns and stay within the style then are known for but sometimes when bands do this they begin to sound like they are rehashing old ideas. Once I finally acquired "Demons of Insanity" I actually discovered a good release. The production is good, the songs are heavy, and there are plenty of good riffs. Hanning Basse sounds as good as he ever had. His voice is so perfectly suited for this band. He is clear, yet aggressive, charismatic, unique and is able to reach to the rafters if neccessary. Even the guitar solos are well done. "Ride On" is probably the albums most immediately likeable song. This song sports a heavy stop/start riff and a catchy chorus. However, I still can't don't have that same excitement I did when I first heard "Chapter One". Perhaps "Demons of Insanity" will be one of those CDs that grows on me more and more over time. In the meantime, "Demons of Insanity" is a decent chapter in the Metalium catalog, even if it doesn't quite hold that same enthusiasm as their earlier albums.
Recorded at Jumpower studios in Mallorca and Tornado studios in Hamburg with producer/bassist Lars Ratz. Guesting on the album, once again, is legendary keyboardist Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE).