| Musical Style: Melodic Power Metal | Produced By: Ronnie König & Filip Koluš |
| Record Label: Inner Wound / Beyond The Storm | Country Of Origin: Slovakia |
| Year Released: 2010 / 2025 | Artist Website: Signum Regis |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 41:49 |
The redesigned Signum Regis sophomore album The Eyes Of Power gives prominence to re-recorded rhythm guitar, updated bass and a complete remix. The Senec, Slovakia based act was not happy with production to the initial Inner Wound Recordings version from 2010, so when presented with opportunity to re-release the album, gave it a much needed facelift to bring it up to modern standards. Hence, the May of 2025 Beyond The Storm Productions reissue, which includes new cover art (noting the work of Uwe Jarling) and multi page mini booklet (crediting to George Zacharoglou).
As the first concept album recorded by Signum Regis, The Eyes Of Power derives from Roman and Persian relations during the late antiquity (224 - 630 AD) in the Middle East. The bands goal accordingly is to ‘capture the atmosphere of that particular time-period, and to keep the language as authentic as possible. Original written sources and scholar literature were carefully studied’ (quoting its press material). The mini booklet proves a work of art in this regard from providing a detailed historical backdrop to the meaning behind each song. Second concept album is the aptly entitled Ulterium Records Book of Exodus themed 2013 follow up effort Exodus.
Musically, Signum Regis maintains its signature European melodic power metal basis while infusing its songwriting with oriental and classical overtures in line with the historical concept. Thus, the group stretches and pushes itself with a choice joining of thematic instrumental numbers and topical vocal cuts ranging from speed based fleet to mid-tempo deliberate to neo-classically derivate. Helping tie together the musical and conceptual motifs is versatile front man Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen), whom brings a fitting at times extensive mid-ranged and others ascending classic tenor delivery.
Album opens to first of its three instrumentals, “Renewal In The East”. Strength to the song resides in its plentiful melodic harmonies, noting the immaculate work of guitarist Filip Koluš, and classical overtures, validating the jazzy bass of Ronnie König. The Signum Regis practiced musicianship further realizes in Jano Tupy’s subtle keyboards.
First vocal piece “Dura Europos” stays true to the groups melodic power metal roots. It proves a borderline speed metal romper - Adrián Ciel gets quite the workout on double bass - hastening its span to dogged abandon accented by rattling bass and splitting riffs. The song, however, is not all indignation as a luring melody rise above the cacophonous scene. Lyric snippet:
Under the eastern blue sky
Siege tower stands still, so high
Leans on sacked town's huge bricked wall
No one's down there, no one at all
Only the howling of the wind
May be heard outside
It's just an overwhelming pain
You could feel inside
“Purpleborn” carries over the upbeat disposition, albeit not quite at the same mercurial tempo. This is one of several tracks drawing upon a neo-classical bent akin to early Narnia - the sophisticated soloing would turn the head of CJ Grimmark - but without forsaking copious hooks, which further shine from Edman’s lavish delivery. What we have is a coordinated joining of the fleet and muscular.
“Mystical Majesty” tempers to a staggering mid-paced bent. Heaviness ups in the process, unveiled in the unsurpassed rhythm guitar and bluesy lead guitar, as does a darker contour, disclosing the lower register vocals and somber residuals to the entrenched low end. I sense a hint of Sacred Warrior. Lyric snippet:
Now as the crown's been placed on our head
The fire's gonna burn again
We're the strongest one
We bravely lead to war
Hunting lions as did our father before
Behold the greatest eye of power
We shall come and dominate you all
I do not have an original copy in which to offer comparison, but four songs in and strength to production reveals in form of the quality mix of rhythm guitar- broad, uplifted and towering. Yet, room also allows for cleanly discernable bass and guitar leads alongside distinct keyboards.
“One Fatal Enterprise” opens to a short burst of classical soloing ahead of galloping forward with sheer keyboards allowing a somber feel. The robust mentality further builds as song launches into its acute refrain of an imperial configuring. Added neo-classical soloing adorns things instrumentally. Lyric snippet:
Here is the dust and the heat
Finally trapped where we are
Soon there'll be nothing to eat, for us
Really it got that far
Where the ten thousand once marched
We have to march today
No bridges here that would overarch Tigris
That stands in our way
Second instrumental “The Underground Temples Of Mithras” is one of my favorites. It represents five minutes of Middle Eastern flavorings - noting the presence of periodic sitar - interspersed with tenacious riffing and resolved soloing of both guitar and bass aligned forms. However, the eerie keyboards (akin to Impellitteri track “Wake Me Up” off Crunch from 2000) help set the song apart in establishing an uncanny effect.
“Oathbreaker” is another heavier cut, chugging its span with a bottom heavy feel as voluminous rhythm guitar and cavernous (almost baritone) backing vocals collide. Pressure picks up as double bass steps in to deepen the grandiose sensibilities. I sense a Gothic bent here. Lyric snippet:
Twelve thousand riders
Headed east
Fought for the kingdom
Fought the beast
Slaves, not their master
Feared no disaster
Oathbreaker - evil maker
Madness filled your mind
Oathbreaker - evil maker
You've been left behind
Signum Regis executes third and final instrumental “Roma Aeterna” with equal portions emotion and grace. First minute elegantly drifts to piano and choral keyboards with remaining span ingrained to aesthetic guitar melodies and classical overtures I find a challenge to disperse from my mind. Once more impression is Narnia, specifically the group’s instrumental track “Misty Morning” (off Desert Land from 2001).
Album closes to six minute epic “Destroyers Of The World”. Song reveals a light progressiveness, starting to angelic keyboards and church organ ahead of launching to keyed up harmonies and upraised rhythm section only to embolden for the impactful refrain divulging of the momentous (sort of like Theocracy). Topping one of albums finest is an extensive instrumental interlude to see blasting lead guitar and jazzy bass duel. Lyric snippet:
There's no treasure in this world
That may bring peace
In the end it may pull us all down
We'd fall on our knees
Guided by pride
Vengeance or greed
We all would die
Die as the destroyers of the world
I am glad Signum Regis remade its sophomore album Eyes Of Power. As a Euro melodic power metal album, it brings choice ingredients in terms of varied songwriting, strong vocals and choice musicianship. There is a reason Signum Regis is widely regarded as one of the better Christian power metal bands alongside Theocracy. Again, I have not heard the original but revamped production shines from the recorded guitar and bass. If into historical power metal concept albums - Hastings 1066 from Thy Majestie comes to mind - or bands that lyrically derive from historical themes (referencing Sabaton) then Eyes Of Power is strongly recommended.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Renewal In The East” (3:08), “Dura Europos” (4:24), “Purpleborn” (4:48), “Mystical Majesty” (3:52), “One Fatal Enterprise” (5:04), “The Underground Temples Of Mithras” (5:16), “Oathbreaker” (4:30), “Roma Aeterna” (4:31), “Destroyers Of The World” (6:05)
Musicians
Göran Edman - Lead Vocals
Filip Koluš - Guitars
Ronnie König – Bass
Jano Tupy - Keyboards
Adrián Ciel - Drums
