According to the promotional letter ‘great debut work’ “King Of Pain”, which was published eight years ago with Mausoleum Records, I have for some reason just missed me as the band name THE ORDEAL has come across yet. Before determining whether you have missed great because now what, but the first time you come in out of the ordinary. About the print on the promo cover ‘Only China Limited Edition’. If the album actually in China and then in a different edition will appear, although not explained, but the background is likely related to a few festival appearances, the band has completed there. The band for some time for a documentary will be accompanied by a TV crew, for a relatively unknown band is not exactly commonplace. Then won the quintet for the mastering of “Descent From Hell” none other than star producer Michael Wagener, and finally proves the composition of the formation of a self-proclaimed progressive metal band to be quite unusual as the protagonists quite different musical directions come. The commonality is found here in the home, because all the musicians probably came from the Hanover area. For example, guitarist Kai Reuter was over 30 years ago by VIVA, the band with Marco Paganini and Barbara Schenker, bassist Hannes Vesper belongs to the current cast of for a long time again active Krautrocker BIRTH CONTROL, Dirk Rogon has time (or still does) at one of the three variants JANE played guitar and drummer Michael Fromm was just like the rest of the squad for Jutta Weinhold (including ZED YAGO) active. Leader and singer Oliver Oppermann still seems to be the most naïve wrote sheet, which is very surprising, since it pretty quickly proves to be most recognizable feature of THE ORDEAL.
With “Descent From Hell” and “Black Rain”, the album begins very promisingly. Of the basic approach of melodic power metal, learn the songs their amount increasing progressively by the opulent design, manageable pace and playful details, such as the ever squinting into the shredder division lead guitar. And then there’s the expansive vocals, which is not least responsible for ensuring that the band often can place somewhere between THRESHOLD with Andrew McDermott (RIP) and ANGEL DUST in the Dirk-Thurisch version. If Mr. Oppermann can live just as impressive as on the album, the local scene is another attraction.
The atmospheric drama ballad “Dragon Tears” (including short-GARY MOORE solo homage) then takes out a little early momentum, and also the very successful implementation of Peter Gabriel’s spine-number “Here Comes The Flood” as worn fustian Metal song would have done better as an end-point, they wanted to avoid the early impression of a lack of ideas or lack of confidence in their own songs. Nevertheless, it can also convince the soulful side of the band perfectly. “Cyber Cross” is then much harder, at the same time but also quite tricky, “Second Sun” promotes the diversity of the album with doomy drama and “The Innocent” is a quickie in the best DIO tradition that once again emphasizes the great vocal work .
The last third of the disc, the previous level then no longer hold. “Dance With The Devil” is too hectic and the chorales act in kind of Army Cadences placed, the sluggish “Letter Of Time” is in excess length rather monotonous and flawless prog-metal called “Sinner’s Addiction”, however, to over-ambitious and exhausting. “Hell Gate,” a mid-tempo pace with final tightening makes, then the full hour of play, which in light of the principle ‘less is more’ do not necessarily have to be.
CONCLUSION: A torture or cruelty by no means is the second album of this meeting musicians from Lower Saxony. Rather, know the seasoned musicians behind THE ORDEAL put their experience in a diverse album that combines extremely appealing melodic, power and prog metal. Even if the end has crept a little filler leaves “Descent From Hell” overall a very positive impression with the band has earned even more attention in the local scene.
01. Descent From Hell 04:45
02. Black Rain 04:50
03. Dragon Tears 05:45
04. Here Comes The Flood 05:57
05. Cybercross 04:51
06. Second Sun 07:27
07. The Innocent 05:23
08. Dance With The Devil 04:48
09. Letter Of Time 06:05
10. Sinner’s Addiction 03:54
11. Hellsgate 06:26