Arion - Last Of Us (2014) (Japan MICP-11168)

Finland’s ARION has unleashed their 2014 début ‘Last Of Us’. A Hard Rock infused Power Prog Metal album filled with sweeping, soulful melodies. Bringing quality Metal to the Commercial Rock masses. At least, if there still was such a thing as “Commercial Rock”–a man’s gotta dream. Upon first spin of ‘Last Of Us’ I did a double take, I thought I had played a new TEN album by mistake. As a huge fan of those UK rockers, I instantly recognized that melodic Hard Rock style in this heavier, Power Metal band. Exploring more, I discovered a Hollywood/Symphonic Metal scope within the Power and Prog. Vast caverns of easily accessible melodic hooks, emotion filled vocals, neo-classical guitars and keys, and forceful, precise rhythm. ARION keeps above the cheese so many other Power/Prog bands wallow in. Lyrical themes with real-world poignancy and genuine emotion. Mostly avoiding all the castles, swords, vikings, wizards, and space goofiness. Vocalist Viljami Holopainen is very atypical for this genre. Able to scream with the best with great range and technique. But he maintains a Hard Rock soul, singing from the heart about profound subjects.

I can’t believe these guys are barely out of high-school. They sound like seasoned veterans, with the weight and wisdom that comes from a lifetime of experiences. In addition to Holopainen there’s Guitar virtuoso Iivo Kaipainen, melody maestro Keyboardist Arttu Vauhkonen, with phenomenal, tight rhythms from Gege Velinov on Bass and Topias Kupiainen on Drums. Hopefully, this marks the beginning of a long and successful career. After an obligatory, yet stirring, instrumental intro we storm into the Neo-classical power of “Out of the Ashes”. The melodic “Seven” is a killer Prog Power Hard Rock track full of elaborate keys, guitar virtuosity, soaring vocals, and delicate haunting melodies. Metal fully emerges on “Shadows”. Pounding rhythm, heavy guitars, and aggressive full-range vocals. I can’t find any fault within the soulful piano ballad “You’re My Melody”. An album highlight with a stripped-bare Holopainen and more killer guitar. The Neo-classical “I Am the Storm” incorporates bleeding fast double bass drumming, full-on screaming, and burning guitar histrionics. Everything cranked to 11! The 7-minute Symphonic/Hollywood beast “Burn Your Ship” is aggressive and intricate with varied, crushing vocals (including chorales), more blasting from Kupiainen, and a duel melodic assault from Kaipainen and Vaukhonen. “Lost” and the more experimental/progressive “Last of Us” are full band, passionate Melodic Hard Metal songs. Epic closer “Watching You Fall” overpowers with potent riffing and pulverizing rhythm. Modern Prog Metal complete with a quirky, volatile mid-section break. The Japanese edition includes four bonus tracks: The regal Power Metaller “New Dawn”, a truncated/single version of “Shadows”, and beautiful acoustic versions of “Lost” and “Last of Us”. Worth the scratch if you can find it. Often Power/Prog Metal albums wear thin with lots of blur and song-bleed. Amazingly, I didn’t notice any of that with the expertly produced ‘Last Of Us’. Each song is distinct and potent while the diversity keeps things fresh.

Can’t imagine what living in a “Metal heaven” like Finland must be like. ARION’s début ‘Last Of Us’ is exceptional Power/Prog Metal. A band of virtuosos writing and playing powerful, melodic, and soulful music. Kick-ass and Highly Recommended.

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