THE SONIC OVERLORDS (feat Tony Martin) – Last Days Of Babylon [CD version +1] (2021)

Praised by legendary Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin – who also agreed to appear as guest – “Last Days Of Babylon” is the debut album from Swedish classic metal outfit THE SONIC OVERLORDS. The band look to ’70s / ’80s classic melodic metal as the inspiration for their sound, using modern recording technology to deliver an updated take on the genre.
THE SONIC OVERLORDS main sound is very Sabbath Dio / Martin eras – there’s some serious Iommi-doomy riffs here – but also more melodic acts from the genre, such as early Scorpions, ’80s Yngwie Rising Force, Michael Schenker Group, etc.

THE SONIC OVERLORDS were founded in 2017 by Swedish rock guitarist Morgan Zocek. He began jamming with various musicians and writing songs inspired by classic hard rock of the late 1970s and early 1980s, but with a more modern approach in the arrangements.
The full sound of THE SONIC OVERLORDS began to solidify with the addition of Per Soläng on drums in 2018. This was followed by the addition in 2020 of vocalist Marcus Zachrisson Rubin who had been playing with Zocek in an Ozzy Osbourne cover band for many years, and the rumbles of new bassist Daniel Ramirez.

Opener ‘Utopia’ is a massive song with big riffs, and the melodies from the early ’80s days of the genre are evident. ‘In My Darkest Room’ is an amazing song from the album, quite catchy and with an interesting musical progression, where the blend of classic Martin/Dio era sound of Black Sabbath gets into your mind.
‘World On Fire’ is slower, midtempo heavy, the slowness from the beginning and the powerful uptempo it takes to is really strong.

‘Eternal Heroes (Last Days Of Babylon)’ is a highlight, co-written with talented Apollo Papathanasio, a melodic metal tune with some of Rising force circa 1985 on it.
The final track of the album – exclusive to the physical Cd – ‘Past The End Of Time’ features none other than the amazing Tony Martin himself. The opening riff is huge, certainly taking the band to the Black Sabbath “Tony Martin” times, a beautifully done song where the vocals are really well blended and the whole band sounds tight.

How would sound Black Sabbath fronted by Tony Martin in 2021? THE SONIC OVERLORDS’ debut ‘Last Days Of Babylon’ is pretty much the answer. While the style of the band is definitively in that direction, the guys add their own personality and variation with more melodic tune in between, solid musicianship and an old-school spirited production updated to modern times.
Highly Recommended

 

01 – Utopia
02 – In My Darkest Room
03 – Fools
04 – Lords of No Tomorrow
05 – World on Fire
06 – Sands of Time
07 – Shine
08 – Children of the Night
09 – Eternal Heroes (Last Days of Babylon)
CD only Bonus Track:
10 – Past the End of Time [feat. Tony Martin]

Marcus Zachrisson Rubin – Lead Vocals
Morgan Zocek – Guitar, Vocals
Per Soläng – Drums
Daniel Ramirez – Bass

 

BUY
www.oldies.com/product-view/12509U.html