Cellador - Enter Deception
- Released: 2006
- Label: Metal Blade
- Rating:
Do you ever get the feeling that sometimes someone is trying too hard? Over the years there have been plenty of bands I have listened to or seen in concert that, with some practice, could have been great bands. However, their potential was overshadowed by how hard they were trying to exemplify the epitome of the music genre that they so desperately wanted to subscribe to. Some of those bands have faded into obscurity. Others eventually figured out what it meant to be a band and found their own identity. While those bands may have only put out another album or two, or maybe they are still alive and kicking today, they generally were able to leave a lasting impression on me.
I volunteered to review Enter Deception by fledgling power metal band Cellador. Here at WhiteTrashDevil.com, we believe that all CDs sent our way deserve to be given a fair crack (or at least be reviewed by some one that does not smoke crack). Under that premise, I would like to point out that I do not have much of a taste for power metal and very, very, very little of it resides in my CD collection. That said, I have been known to thoroughly enjoy performances and albums by Iron Maiden and Ripper Owens-era Iced Earth. Hell, there are a few out there that may remember my childhood fondness for the beefcake power metal onslaught of Manowar and a host of other power metal bands.
When I first listened to Enter Deception I had no idea what this band was about or what kind of music they played. As the ripping guitar parts and double kicks started I instantly knew that this was going to be a European flavored endeavor. The vocals cinched my suspicions that this would be an album full of high pitched power metal vocals and “triumphant” guitar parts. Before I go any further, I would like to talk about the use of “triumphant” as an adjective to describe power metal. Triumphant denotes winning. Amon Amarth sings about conquering foreign lands with nothing more than a long ship, ridiculous amounts of ale and an axe the size of a small child, yet I have never considered using triumphant to describe any part of Amon Amarth’s music. Nonetheless, I see those metallic norsemen as a much stronger candidate for winning in any sort of a contest or battle than the average power metal band. I mean seriously, how could helpless French villagers not be afraid of those “triumphant” death growls while the singers from most power metal bands are making the high pitched squeal that one might expect said French villager to be making as Viking berserkers cut them down in droves. From here on out I declare that bands, labels, critics and fans cease and desist from using “triumphant” to describe a band’s music or album unless said band is willing to prove that they can somehow invade France in true Viking fashion and triumph over at least a handful of villagers.
While “triumphant” is no longer an option for use in this review I would like to point out that Cellador does have a very catchy opening track. They obviously agree with me since I saw the video for “Leaving All Behind” on a recent episode of the Headbangers Ball. The other 7 tracks on the CD are definitely solid songs with good use of the twin guitar attack and a speed and intensity that is undeniable. A quick read of their bio revealed some interesting information that shed some light on Cellador. First off, the oldest person in the band is 23 years old, and while the band hails from Nebraska, only two of them are really from the Midwest. Both guitar players are from the sunny South American country of Brazil. Having lived in Brazil myself, where the majority of the metalheads seem to eat, breath and sleep power metal, it is of no surprise that the guitar parts show the level of skill they do even at the guitarists’ young age. The bass player also comes from another land – Russia. Instrumentally, the band shows real potential and are likely to develop into a force to be reckoned with on albums to come.
The vocals are the hardest part for me to swallow in any power metal band. Couple the high pitched vocals with the eye shadow the singer was wearing in the video I saw and you now have a combination that is sure to turn me away. You would think that instead of worrying about some rock star image, Mike Gremio could do the right thing and grow some long hair or shave his head and try to appear that he is in a metal band rather than the Backstreet Boys. Eyeliner has no place in metal. Period. Stop wearing it or join a boy band. In every picture I have seen of this band, everyone but the singer looks like metal kids should, while the singer leaves me scratching my head. Hey Mike, did I mention that you should never wear eyeliner again?
Ultimately, these guys could really develop into a band that will grow into something much larger than they are now. They are certain to have a rabid fan base in Brazil if they are smart enough to use the heritage of their guitarists to their advantage, and their ability to play competent interesting melodic power metal should give them a good fan base in Europe. Cellador likely has an uphill battle to fight here in the United States when you consider that bands like Manowar, which are from this country, can’t even sell out the club scene on this side of the pond. The only other real downside is that these guys bring nothing to the table that countless other power metal bands haven’t played time and time again over the last three or more decades. However, if you are a fan of power metal you could probably add as much as a whole star to the rating you see here. I am sure that Enter Deception will have plenty of interesting elements to make the purchase feel like it was money well spent. Either way, I say that for this being a debut album the guys in Cellador have plenty to be proud of. Oh and guys….if you can get “triumphant” removed from your bio on the Metal Blade website and in any of your own press material I will raise the album rating by a half a star. Just email me.
Jason “CJSIXER” Wenderoth | 07/14/2006