Karuna (ROI) | ‘Neitherworld’

Perhaps it’s because you have to be a bit older to care about it. Perhaps it’s because the its roots aren’t always relevant to the yoof. Perhaps, as well, the technical level required eludes a great many players here. In either case, Ireland has never really produced decent power metal. Until now.

Karuna, drawn from members of Dark Crystal and including occasional MI contributor Colin Callanan, have done brilliantly with this three track debut. First and foremost their songs are brilliantly written. They’re also swathed in a wispy, dreamy atmosphere that lends the sense of fantasy and quest essential to the best power metal.

Callanan’s vocals are surprisingly strong. They never reach into falsetto, but instead remain controlled and well pitched. The guitars are satisfying both in riffing and lead work, while the airy keyboard solos (with loads of portamento!) really root Karuna in their genre.

It all comes down to the songs though. Closer ‘Wayfarer’ is the most evidently Germanic offering, and shows probably the biggest Gamma Ray influence from its positive, major key push. The remaining two however show the band at the height of their capabilities. ‘Lost’ is atmospheric, moody and hook laden. Influences from the evocative and awesome Threshold shine through.

The real winner though has got to be ‘Neitherworld’, which fuses Helloween, Rhapsody, Kotipelto and even audible influences from Whitesnake. Its chorus is fantastic, with a real soar above the clouds feel.

This is a superb first offering, and all the more satisfying for being different to the crowd. It’s intelligent and brilliantly played. More importantly though it has that quality owned by special metal - that dreaminess and a sense of being taken somewhere else. Just listen to the echoing guitar solo in ‘Neitherworld’ to check out how. Brilliant fantasy metal, cloaked in atmosphere, and a band following their own path. Highly recommended.

- Ciaran Tracey ::: 10/11/09