Hunted United Kingdom

"This stuff is actually kind of good. You would probably have to give the album a spin to get used to some things - such as the vocals, which may at first sound very weird because singer Chris G. has such a unique voice. It may sound overplayed and strange at times, but he is a talented singer, and I think deserves credit for not being afraid to sound different and original.

The music sounds very Maiden-inspired, and it is progressive in the same fashion as Maiden's music is with numerous tempo changes, guitar melodies and lots of different riffs in one song, while the chord progressions themselves are not really that complex. A lot of the changes come out of the blue, and, while that may not appeal to everybody, I like those changes; just check the sudden change in "Silence of Minds" at 1:50 - that sounds like "Phantom of the Opera" for advanced learners.

It should be mentioned that Hunted are not a Maiden clone; they are actually pretty original. I just think they've listened to a lot of Maiden and lets themselves be inspired, and I totally understand that (I am, after all, a Maiden fan, too). Also, Hunted sound just as much inspired by speed metal and progressive power metal as well as traditional European power metal.

Hunted make use of dissonant chords and alternative chords (rather than just the classic rock power chords), and I think that is refreshing, and there are, as mentioned above also elements from speed metal and power metal on this album. For instance, "Impaled" is pretty much a speed metal song, while "I Want Nothing" sounds more like the Helloween of the 80s.

I like how Hunted's music is both complex, with a lot of wee details, chords, harmonies and changes, but yet very much observant to power metal and traditional metal convention, which means that, no matter how weird things get, there will always be something to guide the lost listener back on track.

Recommended to fans of power metal, progressive metal and pogressive power metal. But, as mentioned, you might want to give the album a couple of spins.

(review originally posted on metalmusicarchives.com)"