Website: Astral Doors
The Inside Pulse:
Astral Doors are back again out of Sweden with their latest effort, Astralism. The disc is deeply NWOBHM influenced with touches of King Diamond composition. Retro yet modern, Astral Doors tear through their material regardless of trends and seemingly dedicated to do their own thing.
Positives: “From Satan With Love” and opening track “EVP” are infectiously addictive. If there’s one thing Astral Doors can do, it’s write epic-feeling hooks, and “Oliver Twist” is the pinnacle. The entire album is oldschool metal fun, with Patrik Johansson’s vocals recalling Savatage and its similar kitsch to boot.
Negatives: Silly, silly, silly. Astral Doors are nearly impossible to take seriously as artists. And with such a retro sound, it’s almost as if one expects Astralism to be some sort of covers album. The songs themselves, for the most part, are cohesive and catchy, but so over-the-top that they’re not much beyond fun.
Cross-breed: Raven and early Iron Maiden, with the grandiosity of Rhapsody.
Reason To Buy: You’re an NWOBHM-head looking for a non-crappy modern take on the genre; Blind Guardian fans will probably like it as well. Other metal fans might find it too silly or kitschy, but it’s not a bad little album.
