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Review: Ra's Dawn - Scales of Judgement
Ra's Dawn
www.ras-dawn.com
Scales of Judgement

Label: Metal Heaven
Year released: 2006
Duration: 42:52
Tracks: 9
Genre: Progressive Power Metal

Rating:
4/5


Review online: April 15, 2008
Reviewed by: Bruce Dragonchaser
Readers' Rating
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Rated 4/5 (80%) (6 Votes)
Review

Interestingly, Scales of Judgement is only the second release from German Power Metallers Ra's Dawn, and despite doing a competent job with their label debut, it failed to make an impression amongst the wider metal community. There is a heavier, darker pull to Ra's Dawn and their Egyptian-flavoured musical snake charming than others, and their ability to shift between genres almost effortless gives Scales of Judgement a healthy sheen, and intriguing caprice. The typical Euro Metal sensibilities are all there: duelling guitar harmonies, pliant drum work, triumphant keyboards; but the band show no mercy when it comes to unleashing a rabid thrash monster. From standard opener "Forever", it would seem the band planned to proceed in a similar, comfortable vein, but instead they up the aggression with some slow burning doom and crushing prog in the brooding "Anubis" before blazing through "In Oceans of Lies"; a scintillating mash of Testament riffing and Accept melody.

In general Scales of Judgement is slightly reminiscent of Powerslave-era Iron Maiden — due mostly to the band's fearless time changes and epic escapism — but in tracks like the majestic "Flame of War", Ra's Dawn sound more like a lighter Blind Guardian, especially in the flute-led folk middle section. Vocalist Olaf Reimann has a shaky baritone which lends a bard-like quality to his soaring manifestos, and as this is the album's weakest link, there is still plenty to be found within the sprawling musical structures and grandiose arrangements. With a top notch production job from Power Metal veteran Tommy Newton, Scales of Judgement is a very surprising album, and one I'll be revisiting many times in the future.

More about Ra's Dawn...
Review: At The Gates Of Dawn (reviewed by PowerMetal59)
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