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With another powerhouse release from the house of Ronnie Konig (also the founder of the rather new Progressive Power Metal band Signum Regis), Vindex is back with their new album, Ultima Thule. Their third release continues in the line of 80s-oriented Heavy Metal with touches of Power and Shred. You might hear similarities to Aria, U.D.O. and Impelliteri. Need I say more?

Ultima Thule rides the cutting edge of fine, old school Metal, driven by hard, crushing riffs and sonic solos filled with Shred. If you want straightforward compositions, semi-metal anthems and unending heaviness, you will get it all here. Vindex's compositions aren't that simple, yet they aren't overly complex either. The band created catchy tunes that will have you coming back to them over and over. Standout tracks include "Back Home," the heavyweight "Once Given Up for Lost," the anthem-like "Forever Metalized," epic "The Last of the Mountain Kings" and the pure 80s rage of "Denim and Leather."

This release, as with others I've encountered recently, suffers from the same phase problem in the production. Partly handled by the high profile Greg Reely (who produced Impelliteri and Machine Head), this phase deal could have been avoided. Overall, Vindex focuses on melody, heaviness, a classic 80s sound and True Metal power. Ultima Thule carries on in that vein nobly. Take your seat and start with "Arctic Circle Daydreaming."