Spanish heavy metallers Lords of Black are back with a new studio release, “Mechanics of Predacity”, 3 years after “Alchemy of Souls, Part II”. It took them a little bit longer to get a new album out, but as Ronnie told me, Tony is responsible for the release time cuz of the songwriting and the production. I’ll say it once again… Ronnie Romero is one of the top three vocalists in hard rock and metal music right now. There’s no doubt about it. Moreover, I’d say that he has “overexposed himself” cuz he is involved in way too many projects and albums, and that’s not always a good thing. Then again, one could say that now is his time to do whatever he wants, which is respectable.
“Mechanics of Predacity” is a lyrical and musical exploration of human existence, where the rivalry between predator and prey can be both a source of sorrow and a plea for redemption. Musically, the band blends hard rock, power metal, heavy metal, and melodic metal, with some prog metal touches here and there. There are moments where they sound really heavy and times when they sound more melodic and atmospheric, which adds variety to the album. My personal favorites are “Let the Nightmare Come”, “I Want the Darkness to Stop”, “Let It Burn” (I like that Priest vibe), “Can We Be Heroes Again” (a melodic metal anthem), “Crown of Thorns”, “Obsessions of the Mind”, “Build the Silence”, and the progish & lengthy “A World That’s Departed”.
The production is modern, punchy, and dynamic. The album was produced by guitar player and main composer Tony Hernando and mixed and mastered by famed musician & producer Roland Grapow (Masterplan, ex-Helloween, Serious Black). The musicianship is stunning and shows that the guys haven’t lost their touch. Romero’s vocals are, as always, exceptional, adding depth and character to every song.
“Mechanics of Predacity” is an album that requires time and focus from the listener. It’s not an easy-listening album that follows the simple, structured approach of recent heavy/power metal, which is a good thing. However, this approach may not bring them new fans as quickly as they deserve, but that’s not always the case, right? This album demonstrates the band’s musical skills and creativity. It’s definitely worth the time to listen to it repeatedly to fully appreciate its musical complexity and depth. “Mechanics of Predacity” is a worthy addition to the band’s discography and an excellent release in every respect.
