Magica - Center of the Great Unknown 2012

Magica, power metal band from Romania. Better known to me in their best album so far, The Lightseeker, trying to remember the song Bittersweet Nightshade. From The Lightseeker to our latest one, Center of The Great Unkown, spans eight years and three more albums. I didn't follow those, so Center of the Great Unkown is a "comeback" for me. Of course with that portfolio, the band step into the upper circle, of experience bands. Vocalist Ana Mladinovici is still the front power. A first impression is the band less orchestration things and keyboards, replaced by new additional guitar. Meaning the previous neo classical, symphonic forces from keyboardist "6fingers" now convert into shredding guitars forces.

Center of the Great Unknown is likely the strongest track here, it open well the album. Its strong lyrical and theme melody will quickly remembered. The other tracks remains heavier and strict to traditional twin guitar power metal setup. The Earth Is Young and No Horizon provide excellent power riff to bring Magica closer to Sonata Arctica rather than to Nightwish for now. There still have King Of the World that continue Magica previous style, with Ana singing fit nicely into this type of melancholy singing. One Angry Gaia is creative liner for the chorus, while the song is quite heavy here.

Replacing keyboard with guitar is a risky decision for established band, but it also add new dimension to the band. Magica is step away from their Lightseeker-symphonic metal sound. The new concept in Center of the Great Unknown is more straightforward guitars attack power metal album. Guitar works also serves enough for the need of band, Under the Auroras is good sample of guitar skill demonstrated by the band. Come to owned this ever dynamic band with power metal twist with excellent female vocalist.

Metalharem class: ******* seven stars out of ten

Magica - Center of the Great Unknown 2012
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1. Center of the Great Unknown 04:43
2. Masterspell 04:44
3. King of the World 04:09
4. Open 04:01
5. The Earth Is Young 04:07
6. Step Into the Night 04:02
7. No Horizon 05:21
8. One Angry Gaia 04:16
9. Mark of Cain 05:12
10.Under the Auroras 03:33
11.Daca 2012 (Bonus track)

Bogdan "Bat" Costea, Guitars
Ana Mladinovici, Vocals (lead)
Emilian, Guitars
Tibi,  Bass
Sebastian "Natas" Macovei, Drums
past member 6fingers, Studio Keyboards

Fantasy architecture structure artwork