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New sound clip of the upcoming album will soon
be here....stay tuned
Latest
Review: www.rockrealms.com
Swedish
band Mindfuel is Markus Kinell on guitars/bass, Magnus Westman on
vocals and Magnus Göransson on drums. They only got together in 2008
but already have this full length debut to their names. The guys
clearly have no intention of taking their time...
The songs on In Your Mind vary in style between hard rock, thrash and
typical European melodic power metal. There are hints of Judas Priest
(especially Ripper-era), Helloween and myriad other battle metal groups
in the rhythms and riffs. Magnus Westman's voice is a touch screechy
but comfortably up to the job.
First track 'Angel of Mercy'' bursts into existence with a rapid-fire
drum beat that leaves you in no doubt what sort of music you are
listening to. If the double-kicks were any more metal you could use
them to make spanners. The song itself is a fine effort, although it
could do with better production values and a few nips and tucks here
and there. It's the aural equivalent of a super model who has let
herself go a bit. The quality is there but shrouded in a layer of
padding.
'Dead Comes Alive' is a few percentage points better. Again there's
some unrealised potential, the song needs to be rawer and heavier on
the guitar front, but the basic premise is spot on. The effort Markus
puts into his vocals is worthy of note - his passion shakes your
speakers. The self titled 'Mindfuel' has a cool chorus and some great
lyrics.
'Welcome To insanity' is arguably the best track on the album. It's a
catchy effort with a great sing along chorus and some phat drum
sections. The main riff is brooding but bright and spunky - it's like a
doom metal version of a hot summer disco track. 'Don't Cry in Vain' has
another excellent chorus and great guitar/drumming combos. It's a
plodding head banger of a track and heavy in a pleasantly melodic way.
The chord-endowed 'Damage' is a mid-tempo number with a buffet of
memorable and not-so-memorable sections. The proggy interlude just over
3 minutes in adds an interesting dimension. 'The Real Me' closes the
album in bass-led acoustic style. It's a classy track and, although
it's not a song you'll prance around to in your leather pajamas, you'll
respect the guys for writing and adding it.
Mindfuel have produced a decent album with In Your Mind. Some of the
songwriting concepts are great, but the final execution doesn't do them
justice. The biggest problems are the foggy production and failing to
go balls-out-heavy often enough. It's as if the band were worried they
might offend people if they cranked the volume up so they deliberately
kept matters in check. As it is, they've produced an album that's good
but not quite mind blowing.
*Check out...* 'Welcome To insanity' and 'Don't Cry in Vain', the two
best tracks.
Overall Score 77%
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