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Man, Iron Maiden hasn't sounded this fresh in years. What's that? This isn't Iron Maiden? Well, this is a great Bruce Dickinson record then. Huh? This is a band called what -- Cellador? And they're from Omaha, Nebraska and are what? These dudes are 17 to 23 years old?! No way are these guys younger than the band that they sound so much like and are obviously massively influenced by, no freakin' way! Well, it would appear to be true. Cellador's youngsters bring their brand of Iron Maiden sounding Power Metal to the masses via Metal Blade on a killer debut record, Enter Deception, that makes the band sound experienced beyond their years. The sole difference between Cellador and that other band that has been name dropped a million times in this review already is a distinct American Thrash sound, more furious drumming (blast beats!), fewer galloping bass lines, and perhaps sheer speed.
The music offered is epic in nature and harmonized, dual leads abound, but this is not your father's Power Metal. No, son, this is updated Power Metal for 2006, ably assisted by Erik Rutan's killer production. Where the "Extreme Power Metal" band DragonForce may be "taking a bit of the piss," as the limeys say, and have a more Pop and over the top vibe, these Nebraskans seem to be paying homage to what they love and are perhaps just plain serious about their craft. By the time the 3rd track rolls along, "Never Again," you might think Joey Belladonna and Anthrax's classic Thrash from 1987 would pour out of the speakers only to have that Bruce Dickinson sound dominate again. What a band. I guess we know who would ably replace Bruce-Bruce (a la The Ripper and Priest) were the pilot to ever leave the fold again. Kudos to Trevor Strnad of The Black Dahlia Murder for passing along Cellador's demo to Brian "Metal Blade" Slagel. The rest, as they say, is history. ...in the making! \m/
| Tracklist |
| 1. Leaving All Behind |
| 2. A Sign Far Beyond |
| 3. Never Again |
| 4. Forever Unbound |
| 5. Seen Through Time |
| 6. Wakening |
| 7. Releasing The Shadow |
| 8. No Chances Lost |
: 44.23
| Buy other Cellador albums |
