ROOMS OF ANGUISH

POWER OF OMENS play a technical and complex brand of Metal not unlike WATCTOWER, PSYCHOTIC WALTZ or ZERO HOUR. As a matter of fact the singer here is Chris Salina who is ZERO HOUR's present vocalist. I really like Chris' vocals and he also wrote the songs on this one, which are as he says "...my deep personal beliefs". He also goes on to say he's not imposing these beliefs on anyone, but feels we should express our own beliefs in our own ways : "without allowing anyone else to tell you how to think or act. Live your life, not someone else's." So, much like ZERO HOUR's latest "Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond" the lyrics here are extremely well done and full of meaning. In the liner notes the band thanks EVERGREY, PAIN OF SALVATION and SYMPHONY X. The lead guitarist David Gallegos thanks Ron Jarzombek from WATCHTOWER and he mentions a lady who pushed him to do his very best who will forever be his "Silent Cries"(a FATES WARNING song) as she is no longer with us. Now to the music.

"Welcome To My World" opens with the sounds of a man walking and the wind is blowing as he stops and knocks on a door. The door opens slowly as he walks in with the door closing behind him.This is followed by some bombastic orchestration as well as male and female vocals. "With These Words" opens with heavy drums that lead to tribal like drumming as the keys and guitar melodies come and go in short bursts.The vocals are powerful and the keys swirl around the heavy soundscape. "My Best To Be..." has more powerful vocals that remind me of a cross between Tate and Adler. Nice background synths as the sound gets mellow with tribal like drumming again. It changes back to heavy with some good guitar solos. "A Toast To Mankind" opens with keyboard runs and guitar solos. More complex instrumental work and arrangements.The guitar solo is great as a keyboard solo follows right behind it. "As Winter Falls" is a fantastic tune. With the wind blowing like in the opener, haunting vocals, keys and acoustic guitar.The keys continue as the heavy riffs comes in. Great sound !

"The Calm Before The Storm" is an amazing instrumental. Beautiful and intricate Spanish guitar leads the way until half way through the song when the heaviness arrives. "In The End" is over 20 minutes long and has everything in it. Synths, orchestral passages, heavy bass and drums, incredible guitar work and female(Michelle Loose) vocals after 10 minutes that are great. "Only A Dream" is another highlight for me. It's a mellow, relaxing tune that sounds so good. Beautiful guitar and gentle vocals. The guitar melodies 4 minutes in are so soothing. "Rooms Of Anguish" is the title song and final one as well. Intricate guitar to open, cymbals and odd metered drumming follow. Vocals come in as bass and drums create a heavy riff. Guitar solos follow as the sound gets very atmospheric as it all slows down. The lyrics on this title track really speak to me. I believe they are about an experience or dream Chris had, and it's pretty incredible.

Great record ! I think Chris' vocals are even more amazing on ZERO HOUR's latest, and I highly recommend both.