Mutiny Within are a New Jersey-based band combining power metal and thrash into a pleasingly epic blend. They're not as nonsensical or dependent on stunts as
Dragonforce, though their guitar and keyboard skills are impressive -- the element
Mutiny Within has on their side is actual songwriting. These tracks have dynamics, constantly shifting the mood and keeping things interesting. Perhaps the most interesting thing about their music is that it reflects their youth -- they're not just sticking to the traditional power metal style as practiced by bands from
Helloween on down, but are adding nu-metal and death metal sounds. Some of this stuff sounds as influenced by
Linkin Park as by
Hammerfall, or whoever. Vocalist Chris Clancy is able to shift seamlessly back and forth between a clean tone reminiscent of
Queensrÿche's Geoff Tate and a harsh death growl that, in context, is a little less convincing, not particularly well-suited to the shredtastic material. Keyboardist Andrew Stavola is as important as the guitarists to the songs' structure, adding delicate piano melodies at times, and crazed synth blats at other moments. The drumming is ultra-triggered and artificial-sounding, but that kind of impeccable gleaming surface is what power metal's all about, so it's expected. And the production is great for the genre, giving the album an epic feel somewhere between an anime soundtrack and arena metal glory. This is an assured, skillful debut that demonstrates a lot of promise for the future. ~ Phil Freeman