The words "Power Metal" or "Heavy Metal" in their traditional meaning have nearly lost their relevance these days. Instead of following trends or listening to the call of "hipper" music, Mystic Prophecy are on target for the spearhead of Heavy Metal with "Fireangel".
"Vengeance" has been the band's first album release in 2001 published under the small insider label B.Mind Records. But they don't become spotlighted until 2003 after leaving B.Mind Records, signing with the scene's leader Nuclear Blast Records and releasing the powerful album "Regressus" which is being promoted during an extensive European tour with Death Angel. With "Regressus" the band makes it out of the "Underground" and leaves an important mark for their future career. Especially their guitarist Gus G. (Firewind, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil etc) is able to attract attention. Because of this album also other bands like Arch Enemy, Dream Evil and Nightrage become aware of the guitar player; however this doesn't prevent him from coming up with the successor "Neverending" together with R. D. Liapakis within one year.
With "Neverending" Mystic Prophecy stand at the often mentioned crossroads, as their drummer Dennis Ekdahl leaves the band in order to concentrate on his main band Raise Hell. Although the European tour with Freedom Call is a complete success, Gus G. announces his exit because he wants to work exclusively with his band Firewind in the future.
In the year 2005 the rotational discussion about traditional Heavy Metal being dead comes up again… and is suddenly ended by Mystic Prophecy in 2006. With "Savage Souls" they release a traditional Metal album, long since awaited by the scene, which delights fans and muzzles the band's critics. An expanded headliner tour with label colleagues Majesty follows and becomes a great success.
With their next album "Satanic Curses" the band musically steps out of the "Power Metal" circle in order to create the world's "heaviest Heavy Metal album". Nearly Death Metal-like Up-Speed tracks paired with superior melodic vocals are the trademark of "Satanic Curses". The band takes those blast beat songs to the stage and leaves a fuelled crowd for the German Metal Commando Primal Fear. While "Savage Souls" indeed showed a heavy side, we have to definitely point out Death Metal elements in "Satanic Curses".
However, the constant tour-record-tour rhythm takes its toll. With drummer Matze Straub the first band member disembarked even before the tour with Primal Fear, while Martin Grimm and Martin Albrecht announced their goodbye after the European Tour. Again, Mystic Prophecy in form of R. D. Liapakis and Markus Pohl were facing a new beginning. While Steve Dittrich could demonstrate clearly that he is a valuable substitute during the tour with Primal Fear, bassist Connie Andreszka and guitarist Constantine were to prove their abilities after the "Satanic Curses" tour in the songwriting process.
With guitarist Constantine it soon falls into place, that a new class found its way into the band. Without derogating Markus Pohl's brilliant work, the 22 year old Greek pulls solos out of his hat, which make Metal hearts beat faster. The opener "Across the Gates of Hell" takes no prisoners and instantly leaves critical voices speechless. While spreading the seed with "Savage Souls" and "Satanic Curses" it's now time for bringing in the harvest with "Fireangel"!!! Already the first notes of the new disc let jaws drop open, even though a powerful album has been expected; nobody expected one with such a high concentration of catchy songs. Instead of constantly putting the pedal to the metal like on "Satanic Curses", Mystic Prophecy expertly focus on variety and offer swift tracks like "We Kill - You Die" or "Death Under Control", as well as pounding hymns in form of "To the Devil I Pray" and "Demons Crown".
Not only the diversity of songs on "Fireangel" is surprising, but also the production, for which again R. D. Liapakis (Firewind, Eldritch, Emerald Sun, Orden Ogan, u.a.) himself is responsible. More than the usual standard is provided here. Not only a few bands took albums like "Savage Souls" and "Satanic Curses" as a reference. "Satanic Curses" already set the bar very high concerning the sound quality, but "Fireangel" easily leaps over it, which surely is going to set standards! Instead of tasking Frederik Nordström (Arch Enemy, In Flames, etc.) with the mix and the mastering of the album like in the past, the band only used his service for mixing "Fireangel" this time.
But not only in the studio and on their records Mystic Prophecy were able to convince so far. During club tours with already mentioned bands like Death Angel, Freedom Call, Majesty or Primal Fear and at all relevant festivals like Wacken, Bang Your Head, Metal Camp, Earthshaker Fest and so forth Mystic Prophecy gained the respect of a faithful crowd of fans. This could be confirmed with an attendance of nearly 1000 people at their final concert with the Swedish band Sabaton at the Funbox in Essen last year!
"Fireangel" is the album the thirsting Metal fans are waiting for and it satisfies all demands. "Fireangel" offers melodic, diversified Metal with an up-to-date sound which is ideally suited for tearing down the walls!
"Fireangel" is not only the proof that Mystic Prophecy don't release weak albums, but rather they impressively show that Heavy Metal a) is not dead and b) will never die!!!
Current line-up:
// Roberto Dimitri Liapakis - Vocals
// Markus Pohl - Rhythm guitar
// Constantine - Lead guitar
// Connie Andreszka - Bass
MYSTIC PROPHECY
P.O BOX 1130 -
87730
BAD GRÖNENBACH-GERMANY
Booking Agency: Twisted Talents Concerts
Tel.: (+49) 172 313 55 39
Tel.: (+49) 231 35 777 12
Fax: (+49) 231 35 777 13
E-Mail: info@twisted-talent.com
HP: www.twisted-talent.com
R.D. LIAPAKIS (Vocals)
Rdlia@)aol.com
Mystic Prophecy Merchandise
Michael (Mike) Langer
www.myspace.com/ffmikeone
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