Band : Guardians Of Time
Album title : A Beautiful Atrocity
Label : Mayhem Music
Distributor : Indie Distribution – Metal Revelation (promo)
Release date : 15/04/2011
Release : CD

In the info sheet we got along with the promo (download) copy of this band's third album, we are informed that Guardians Of Time is seen as one of the leading Melodic Power Metal acts in Norway. Well, at any rate it's got some relatively experienced musicians in its fold, with original members Bernt Fjellestad (vocals) having had a tenure with Rules Of Engagement and Scornbath (and having sessioned for Scariot), and guitarist Päl Olson having Trail Of Tears and Eon on his resumè. No info on second guitarist Bent Lindebö, except that he's already the 4th person to take in that position in the band (former second guitarist having come from Scariot and Harm). Bassist Martin Eltvik of Chain Collector is the band's most recent addition, having entered the band in 2010. And drummer Öyvind Vägane (of Harm and Rules Of Engagement repute) is also the third one in that position (previous drummers having come from the bands Natt and Eon).

That we haven't heard that much of the band out of Scandinavia, of course has to do that the band was originally founded  by a bunch of bored musicians looking for something else than just hang around the pub (which is exactly what they were doin' when someone offered the idea to start making some music together outside their normal bands). But what started off as a means to pass time eventually grew into something more serious. In 2000 the band records a 3-track demo, which lands 'em a deal with Shark Records, whom release the band's debut album Edge Of Tomorrow in 2001. The release got the quintet rave reviews from all over the world, and as a result devoted fans from both Germany and Brazil erected a fansite. GOT did shows all over Norway, taking in some of the more festivals in the process. Sophomore album Machines Of Mental Design was released in January 2004 on Scandinavian label Face Front, and given distribution in Europe by Massacre Records, in Asia by Spiritual Beast, and in the USA by The End Records. Great reviews were again obtained from media global-wide, many reviewers tagging the band's music as “Thinking Man's Metal”, and the album generally being compared to Queensrÿche's Operation Mindcrime. Soon after the release the band joined the Scream Tour, playing all over Norway. The highlight would be the band's appearance at Norway's biggest Metal event, the Quart Festival, where they opened the main stage for Slipknot. But later in 2004 the second guitarist and the drummer quit, and essentially the band went on a hiatus, with Olsen and Fjellestad the only GOT members to remain active in music.

In 2009 the thread was picked up again with the core of the band joining up with Lindebö, Vägane, and bassist Jonkis (since replaced, as noted above). New material was developed, and eventually recorded at Mayhem Music Studio with producer Audun Grönnestad (has previously worked with the likes of Trail Of Tears, Angel, and Imperia...three actually linked bands), whom signed GOT to release the album through his own label Mayhem Music in October 2010. Now to give you guys/ girls an idea as to what GOT might sound like, they themselves (info sheet) handle the description : a mixture of a modern day version of Judas Priest's Painkiller with Helloween. To me personally, GOT rises above the sum of those two, and that partly because of the fact that the band yet again comes along with a concept album (this time about a guy about to be executed by electrocution). Somehow, there's also a higher degree of Progressive Metal content...and the fact that the band recently (Oct. 2010) participated in Russia's first ProgPowerfestival should give a positive sign on the wall. Still, there's sóme Rob Halford feel in the occasional higher notes as well, so the description given by the band ain't bad after all. Wanna actually héar what they sound like? Just surf to the band's own website (www.) guardiansoftime.no and check out the media section to find songs off all albums. You can also visit (www.) myspace.com/guardiansoftime (the combination of the two sites culminating to more than on either one).

90/100

Tony.