Timeless Crime

Just when I thought I had lost my beloved Labyrinth for good (because of Rob Tyrant's departure, to persue his "pop" career...), they manage to snag the Italian Tyrant with the golden voice back and pump out a teaser of what is to come on their next release. Labyrinth picks right up where they left off on "Return to Heaven Denied", with speedy arrangements, and keyboards running along parallel to give this band their standout sound. Proving to still be one of the finest in the business, is the twin guitar attack, lead by Olaf Thorsen. Shredding, ripping, riffing, and darting in and out of each other, its a joy just to listen to the axeslinging weaving around itself.

1. Save Me - With its uplifting piano and synth opening, that sounds so ethereal and almost spiritual, that gently drifts into some pretty vocal sounds, "Save Me" promises to be soft and beautiful. But that promise is quickly broken with drums pounding faster than the speed of light, and guitar riffing to match. The speed this tune blazes along at is amazing, especially with the smooth gorgeous vocals of Tyrant laid over the top.
2. Out of Memory - Laid back opening, acoustic backing and bubbly electric guitar riffs, with a soulful edge. Violins open up the song even more, adding the atmospheric touch. It boils up to a point, where galloping guitar takes over and plenty of synth sounds to explode it wide open. More frantic and very solid drumming. Tyrant's vocal performance is so beautiful it is enough to drive a fan to the point of weeping, since its a miracle he's back and singing like his usual angelic self. There's enough embedded melody in the song to keep it from sounding like a speed fest.
3. In The Shade - This kicks ass!! Remake of the Labyrinth song from "No Limits", the crisp, and overall improvement in production over the original gives this song the sound it always needed. It seems they have upped the bar a notch on this one, and given it an added dose of power. The journey taken by the pulsating, upward spiraling synthesizer that abruptly halts leaving a sense of suspension for a fraction of a second, before exploding into the chorus, is breathtakingly unique. Comparing it to the original - the better production, and less 'techno' sound, give it a slight edge over the old one, but being a total Fabio Lione fan, I have to admit, his vocals are sorely missed, even though Rob Tyrant does a fabulous job with the song, its just not quite the same without Fabio.
4. Falling Rain - Japanese fans were treated with this gorgeous piece last year, while the US was really cheated out of a song I consider to be among the finest the band has ever released. This acoustic version, with its layer upon layer of delicate acoustic guitar, and a touch of violin to add atmosphere, its everything a ballad should be and more. Another outstanding vocal performance must be noted, this time delivered in a lush, heartfelt way. Nothing less than perfect, and emotionally moving.
5. Die For My Sins (hidden track) - Everyone knows by now this was originally done by Sanctuary, back several years ago, and Labyrinth hits the nail on the head by delivering a more than worthy cover of this track. Gripping and heavy, and very cool, if Im not mistaken, that's Moby on vocals before he was replaced by the guy he replaced months earlier, Tyrant. Awesome, but its a world away from the Labyrinth sound, at least we get a taste of what the vocalist would have sounded like with the band.