Reptilian
Castle of Yesterday

May 2002
Released: 2000, Regain Records
Rating: 3.0/5
Reviewer: Anders Sandvall

Jonas Blum-lead vocals

Thomas Blum-Keyboards

Lasse Boquist-guitar

Joel Linder-drums

Jonas Reingold-bass

Orvar Wennström-guitar



Jonas/Joel played on the first CD with Majestic (ABSTRACT SYMPHONY). When they left the band after the first record they wanted to continue together. So they started a new band called Reptilian. Those two recruited the rest of the band and started to compose and rehearse. It was a fast job to get stuff to record and the band went into the famous Berno-studio and recorded the debut album CASTLE OF YESTERDAY. The record contains ten songs.



This is, from my point of view, a record that is melodic hard rock with neo-classical elements here and there. It is a fresh touch, faster than ordinary melodic hard rock, even with elements of metal. The cover is a masterpiece made by Eric Philippe (Rhapsody, Gamma Ray, etc.). I have some favorites songs, such as the title track "Veins of Hell", "The Deceiver", "Change Your Heart" and "Masterplan".



Joel on drums and Orvar/Lasse on guitars impress me a lot. Jonas, however, is the weak link. He has a very limited voice-register. In some of the songs he is okay, such as the ballad "Change Your Heart." On most songs, however, he fails and draws the result down. Still, I eagerly await the follow-up that is in the works now.