• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Here's an album that has been on almost constant rotation in my car, along with its predecessor, Primo Victoria.  Both albums have been faithful companions on my long trips back home, driving for hours on isolated roads.  Excellent driving music. :)  The main problem with Attero Dominatus is that it followed the acclaimed Primo Victoria, and no one will argue that the band pretty much tried to ride on the wave of its success, copycatting themselves.  This one here fails to come off as powerful and catchy, and at times really sounds too much like a draft copy of its predecessor.  With that said, this doesn't make it a bad album.  In fact, I think someone who hears Attero... first, without any basis for comparison with Primo..., would just love it.  The ingredients are there:  The war thematic is still predominant in the lyrics (save for the last song, a metal anthem using band names to make up the lyrics), a healthy dose of Nazi bashing right from the get go, mostly catchy and upbeat Heavy/Power Metal, and of course the unmistakable signature voice (I don't think this band would be discussed as much if it wasn't for the vocalist.)

Songs like "Attero Dominatus" and "We Burn" are catchy as hell, and the catchy closer "Metal Crüe" has double the entertainment value when you pay attention to the lyrics and smile at how the band expertly used metal band names in the lyrics.  The longest track, "Rise of Evil", clocks in at a little over 8 minutes, describing the rise of the 3rd Reich in a heart-grabbing somber and solemn fashion.  One of the best here.  Even the weakest songs are still saved by the heavy, crunchy guitar work as well as the powerful, catchy vocals.  Not the band's best, but it has a place close to Primo Victoria in my collection.