Mesmerize
Stainless

January 2007
Released: 2005, Dragonheart
Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewer: MetalChick

There must be something about Italian metal bands; no matter the style, they just have to be weird in some way or another. Mesmerize is of the classic metal variety, with influences from everyone’s favorite Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Songwriting is tight, the production spotless, their outfits complete with super tight leather pants and some lyrical topics that drip cheese. The latter two don't necessarily have to be bad qualities…



Again, the songwriting here is impressive, not to mention some killer guitar solos. Songs like "The Burn" and "Triumph of the Darksword" (can you feel the cheese?) are the best at showcasing these skills. What's really cool is on some songs, they incorporate a violin, which reminds me greatly of Elvenking. "Hot Lead Cold Steel" has a very catchy violin melody, coupled with a super speedy riff throughout.



The big strike against Mesmerize: the vocals kill this album. He's one of those singers that is so close to being on key, but the little bit that he's off is really painful at times. He starts the album off with a single high note, and right away you know what he has to offer for the rest of the ten tunes. He tries way to hard to have vibrato, and it just doesn’t work. If they had better vocals, this band would really slay.