With albums to review in early January it looks like 2008 is going to be every bit as bonkers as 2007 was. I suppose it’s good to get in early; steal a march on the others in what is normally a slow month in the music biz. Trouble is come next December and the early albums tend to get forgotten in people’s ‘best of’ lists.  

At the end of the day it’s all about quality of course. Paradox are good ol’ Thrash metal with a bit of Judas Priest and a smattering of Megadeth. The biog mentions ‘Power/Speed’ tracks but any modern influences are well and truly hidden if you ask me. Ok lets cut to the chase: Paradox have a Metallica fixation. All the guys in the band can clearly play. The arrangements are good and the music tight. Fine then. 

Well not really. Vocalist Charly Steinhauer has a career as a James Hetfield impersonator if this all goes tits up. (This is their third incarnation – though to be fair the band split on the last occasion due to Steinhauer suffering depression.) Thing is virtually every track seems like a rearranged version of Metallica’s anthem ‘Battery’. It’s a huge shame as they really can play. But there isn’t an original bone in Paradox’s body. Far too derivative, this CD can only be recommended for Thrash purists and Metallica tribute band fans. 

Sorry if this sounds harsh but with so much competition out there right now you’ve got to stand out from the crowd and Paradox just don’t do that.

Let us know your views on Electrify

Track Listing

Second Over Third By Force
Paralyzed
Monument
Portrait In Grey
Hyperspeed Hallucinations
Brgidge To Silence
Disconnected
Cyberspace Romance
Electrify

Line Up

Charly Steinhauer - Vocals/Guitars
Kai Pasemann – Guitars
Olly Keller – Bass
Roland Jahoda – Drums