Magic Kingdom – Savage Requiem

If the name Magic Kingdom inspires fanciful images of Disney-type fairies and blue-eyed princesses, flush that out of your mind. The name is the preserve of an unrepentant power metal band that has been provoking and enchanting fans around the world in equal measure since 1998. A year after the band was brought together by Belgian guitarist Dushan Petrossi they released their debut album ‘The Arrival’. However, it was only after they released their critically acclaimed album ‘Metallic Tragedy’ in 2004 that Magic Kingdom began gathering a following in speed metal circles. Their 2010 release ‘Symphony Of War’ only cemented the band’s appeal further.

Savage Requiem may be Magic Kingdom’s first album in five years but they show no signs of ring rust. Lead by the passionate performance of new vocalist Christian Palin and garnished with the sparkling guitarwork of Petrossi, the 10-song set will be an addictive listen to all metalheads. No one is happier with how well Palin’s singing complements Magic Kingdom’s high-tempo, dramatic compositions than Petrossi: “I love Christian’s style of singing. He always gives 100% and doesn’t hold back. I feel that the new songs needed someone like Christian to come alive.” And Petrossi’s shredding on Savage Requiem really does put the ‘magic’ in the band’s name. You will agree that the comparisons with Yngwie Malmsteen and Michael Romeo are well deserved as you plumb the depths his neo-classical playing style.

Like in their 2004 album ‘Metallic Tragedy’, the band gets things rolling with a stimulating minute-long instrumental titled ‘In Umbra Mea’. ‘In my shadow’ the Latin phrase should translate, and the shadow, shrouded in soft guitar strokes and tentative strings, grows steadily. It spills into ‘Guardian Angels’, the track that follows, where it explodes into meaty riffs and furious drums. The instrumental is allowed to stew in its venom before Palin’s feisty growl  introduces itself. The choir-like vocal backing really brings this number to life, imbuing it with a glowing cinematic sheen. Before the song can end Petrossi gives himself a moment in the limelight, strangling all manner of notes from his guitar until everything comes to a standstill.

MAGIC KINGDOM – Savage Requiem (2015) // official lyric video // AFM Records

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‘Rivals Forever’ starts at 110 miles per hour, steered by drum kicks with the frequency of an automatic weapon. Amid the melodic mayhem Palin recounts the tale of an adversary who once was a “brother in arms”. But one day the cherished ally “crossed the line”, leading to his banishment as an eternal rival and sworn enemy. Right on cue after verse two Petrossi shows up, fingering his guitar to devastating effect.

The opening 30 seconds of ‘Full Moon Sacrifice’ wouldn’t be out of place in the background of a Hollywood fairytale animation. And the lyrical content helps create the imagery to go with the soundtrack; a stirring scene of a chosen warrior accepting a certain sacrifice he has to make to a supreme being in the light of a full moon. The colorful backing voices return to complete the image of a brutal ceremony celebrated to appease a bloodthirsty god.

From there the pace doesn’t let up right through to the album closer ‘Battlefield Magic’, though it does begin soft classical strings. An aptly invigorating end to an all-action recording with nary a dull moment.

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By: Phil Kimm, RockRevolt Journalist