As unrelenting as a beat down with a baseball bat.
That’s how I would sum up the latest release from Paradox “Tales of The Weird”. Released by AFM Records this one continues in the tradition of great thrash spawned by this German powerhouse.
Remember the great metal wish that Metallica would one day make another MOP? This new one from Paradox comes a damn sight closer than (unfortunately) James and company will.
After several albums and line up changes I’m hoping this is the stable lineup. Long standing members Charlie Steinhauer and Christian Munzer have been joined by the rhythm section of Olly Keller and Daniel Buld. This lineup has really been able to hold up to the incredible ideas that pour out of Charlie’s metal mind. Everything on here is solid and mixed to perfection.
So lets dig in a bit to their fifth album and first in three years. This thing kicks off with the title track “Tales of The Weird”. Over nine minutes long. Yes, that’s right clocking in at 9:19 these guys have built a track with enough musical balls that the vocals don’t even come in until 2:35. Most people know I hate long tracks this is one of those exceptions.
Track 2 continues the sonic assault with “Day of Judgement”. Ever wonder what the metal lovechild of Firewind and Death Angel would sound like? I’m pretty sure this is it.
And it just continues track after track of solid metal. The only break is the quick interlude piece “Zeitgeist”
Okay there’s one track that just feels a bit out of place for me and that’s “Fragile Alliance”. It’s gonna sound picky but I think it strays too close to the more commercial metal sounds that came out in the wake of the Black Album.
The cherry on the thrash sundae is the final track an absolute killer cover of Rainbow’s “A Light in The Black” keyboard solos and everything courtesy of Bob Katsionis.
Of course since this is Focus on Metal we do have to talk about the cover. Done by Claudio Bergamin who has done covers for the metal god himself. This one really carries that old school horror comic vibe.
Do your metal soul a favor and pick up a copy of Paradox’s “Tales of The Weird”. I’m betting you will be going back to get the rest of their back catalogue too.
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