"Hymnal" marks the debut full length release by Japanese band WIZARDS HYMN and what a frustrating album this is. If I were concentrating on just the music this has so many of the elements I love to hear in any power metal release. Superbly catchy guitar hooks epitomized in "Through The Wilderness" for example, well selected moments where rapid-fire double kick rhythm hits hard, reference "The Circle Of Fate", and even a nice change of pace a la DRAGONFORCE by the positioning of a STEINMAN like piano dominated power ballad at track 3 with "The Glory Of The Desert".

In a sub-genre often criticized as low on originality WIZARD'S HYMN even have their potential unique selling point in possessing a female lead singer, KIMIKO SHIRAO. Unfortunately it's the vocals where the problems with this album lay. A heavily accented voice doesn't have to be a problem but these did have me checking exactly what language the lyric were being sung in such was the unintelligibility. Occasional thinness of voice is a problem too that you feel the producer could have helped with perhaps, but the biggest flaw is a lack of control. Even a reasonably delivered section will too often terminate with a horrible ear piercing, helium fueled final line. Elsewhere lines will sound flat against the instrumental backdrop. Overall it just sounds wrong!

WIZARDS HYMN clearly have something but to progress the vocal delivery has to improve... and a post review trip to their website seems to indicate a recent change of front-woman... so here's to the next album.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/wizardshymn

RELATED ITEMS: No related articles at this time.