SERIOUS BLACK – Rise of Akhenaton (2024)
With “Rise of Akhenaton“, Melodic Metal favorites SERIOUS BLACK are not only celebrating their 10th anniversary. From the adrenaline-fueled anthem “Metalized” to the infectious sing-along choruses of “Take Your Life”, the upcoming album also marks a triumphant return to the band’s roots, while at the same time opening up a new era with modern production and more variety than ever before.
And when we say SERIOUS BLACK roots, that’s ’80s music. Yeah, “Rise of Akhenaton” is melodic metal, some power, but also classic stuff: as a proof, we find on the album a cover of TOTO’s “I Will Remember”, done melodic hard rock here yet with its AOR midtempo feeling intact.
”Rise of Akhenaton” is for everyone with a little bit of something for fans of all metal / hard rock different styles. Commercial power metal listeners are sure to love the opening track, “Open Your Eyes” and the title track, while melodic hard rock aficonados should enjoy the single “Silent Angel” and “Take Your Life.” Arena rock fans should love “United,” and those looking for a nice ballad should be satisfied with “When I’m Gone.”
Songwriting is quite varied, but the overall focus of this album seems to be on no-nonsense, no filler — just plain catchy rock n’ roll.
There are no unnecesary long tracks, no intros or interludes, and very little time wasted whatsoever. The album clocks in at a lean and mean 44 minutes, and it’s consistently excellent the whole way through.
Fans of the band are sure to love this album, as it delivers the same kind of fun and catchy, vocal-driven power as always, with a nice mix of melodic metal and a bit of arena rock for good measure.
And new listeners should grab “Rise of Akhenaton” too, as there’s something for everyone here – impossible not to like these 11 eleven tracks plenty of classic sounds – awesomely produced & mixed.
HIGHLY Recommended
1. Open Your Eyes
2. We Are the Storm
3. Silent Angel
4. Take Your Life
5. Shields of Glory
6. When I’m Gone
7. United
8. Rise of Akhenaton
9. Virtual Reality
10. I Will Remember (Toto cover)
11. Metalized
Nikola Mijic – Vocals
Dominik Sebastian – Guitars
Bob Katsionis – Guitars
Mario Lochert – Bass
Ramy Ali – Drums
Pre order:
www.amazon.com/Rise-Akhenaton-Serious-Black/dp/B0D6PVXC8Z
