Paradox - Electrify
AFM Records
Power Thrash
10 songs (52:32)
Release year: 2008
Paradox, AFM Records
Reviewed by Jerrol

Paradox and founder Charly Steinhauer has gone through one of the most chaotic careers in metal history. Through countless line-up changes, family deaths and near life ending illnesses, one thing has remained constant in this bands twenty year career, the ability to release some amazing Thrash Metal. Paradox rewards their fans for their patience with Electrify, the follow-up to their acclaimed Collision Course.

Those familiar with Paradox know they have a genuine way of melding catchy Thrash Metal and traditional Power Metal with Speed Metal riffing and Progressive Metal compositions. This could easily be sloppily manufactured but Parodox continues to remain clear and focused, thanks to a crystal clear production and the amazing guitar work of Steinhauer and Kai Pasemann. Both guitarists combine to deliver a melodic yet heavy sound, providing some devastating and diverse riffs as well as supplying some amazing harmony work. Bassist Olly Keller and Roland Jahoda sadistically contribute to the mix giving things an elaborate and layered structure. Charly’s vocal performance is his best to date. They seem more relaxed on this release then on previous releases sounding at times like rougher-edged Jorn Lande.

Second Over Third By Force, the opening track from Electrify, begins with a mellow into before unleashing some fast riff work reminiscent of Agent Steel. Monument keeps up the pace, the vocal melodies of the intro Paralyzed reminding me of Blind Guardian, with its heavy mix of Thrash and Power Metal. It is the versatility of Paradox that makes this album a stand out. There are defiantly less Metallica, which is a good thing, comparisons to be found on this release even though there are definitely some riffs that warrant those comparisons, see Portrait In Grey and Infected. Steinheauer and company slow things down a couple times with mid-paced rockers Bridge To Silence and Cyberspace Romance showing another side of Paradox.

Overall, Electrify is a well performed and equally well produced work from a band that has seen its (un)fair share of turmoil over the years. Things do look promising as Paradox is back in the studio working on their follow-up CD, so hopefully we will not have to wait another eight years for more.

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Killing Songs :
Monument, Infected, Second Over Third By Force
Jerrol quoted 84 / 100
Other albums by Paradox that we have reviewed:
Paradox - Collision Course reviewed by Danny and quoted 90 / 100
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