Rough Edge: Ivory Knight CD Reviews

IVORY KNIGHT

"Unconscience" (Self-released; 2004)

If you're an unsigned band, you don't get a big name to mix and master your CD unless you're independently wealthy or you've got serious talent and potential.

So when I saw that Jeff Waters of Annihilator mixed and mastered the new CD by Canada's Ivory Knight, I was intrigued.

As far as I know, the members of Ivory Knight haven't won the lottery. Nor did one of their parents invent Liquid Paper. After listening to "Unconscience," however, I can see what attracted Waters to the band.

A unique combination of the operatic Queensryche style and the epic thunder of Iron Maiden (and, of course, Annihilator), "Unconscience" is a collection of songs that meld the genres of power metal, progressive rock and a bit of thrash. The CD is filled with the things fans of those styles are looking for: real singing, blistering leads, and songs that alternate from rocking hard to simply thrashing along ... often within the same song.

I only wish that Jeff Waters had produced "Unconscience" as well. Whereas the production is adequate, it's also a little flat at times. Overall, however, it's not much of a distraction.

Fans of the classic hard rock/heavy metal sound will find much to like on Ivory Knight's "Unconscience."

One more interesting note: The cover artwork is by Gyula Havanscak, who also did Annihilator's "All For You."

Ivory Knight: John Devadasan Perinbam - lead and backing vocals, all keyboards, orchestral madness, additional drums; Rob Gravelle - lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars, backing vocals; Steve Mercer - bass guitar, backing vocals; George Nesrallah - drums.

For more information, check out www.ivoryknight.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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