Band:	Casus Belli
Album:	In The Name Of Rose
Style:	Power metal
Release date:	2005
A review by:	Malcolm

01. I'm Your Master
02. Vengeance is My Law
03. Holy Gates (In The Name Of Rose)
04. Diamond Crown
05. Edge Of A Knife
06. Initiation (Promised Land)
07. Isolation
08. Naked King
09. Wrongly Right
10. Eastern Dance
11. Whispering

Greece has grown large as a Metal country and they are still growing, believe me, Casus Belli is one of the latest efforts the country spitted out, and even if "In the Name of Rose" is just their second album (first was released in 2001 under a different label), the similarities with other bands and artists are already coming. Like the guitarist, Panos Arvanitis, he's already compared with legendary Greece guitarist Gus G (ex- Dream Evil, Nightrage, Mystic Prophecy, Firewind).

Anyway, everything isn't about comparisons, Casus Belli isn't just a copycat band, even if they aren't bringing anything new to the scene. Their music can be described as quite heavy power metal with some symphonic and heavy metal influences, they are for sure not only another power metal band, they are a bit heavier. A mixture of some Queensrÿche, Masterplan and maybe some Priest mixed with great guitars and a great singer, and I mean great and raw singer.

"In the Name of Rose" is produced by another quite famous Greece metal musician, R.D. Liapakis, singer in Valley's Eve and Mystic Prophecy, and the production is out of complains, it's not crystal clear and that's good, because this rawer production fits Casus Belli and above all, singer Panos Dedes voice perfectly.
The opener "I'm Your Master" is a perfect example, this raw and almost thrashy heavy power metal song wouldn't be near as good if the production was clear as crystal.

Another song I need to mention is "Naked King", it might not sound that good, but it's great riffs and epic singing is really good, and it's one of a few that's really pointing out from the rest.
On the other side of the playground, there's always something bad with an album, and even if it's small things, it's still bad.
This time I have to mention an old cliché, the material. Even if there are only good songs on the record, I still miss this real masterpiece, that song that you just can't get enough of.
Other than that, I don't see why this album shouldn't be liked by people that's into heavier power metal, and even heavy metal, just give it a shot.

Check Out: "I'm Your Master", "Naked King" & "Vengeance is My Law".