Oh, this review was a tough one for me. The feelings evoked by this disc ranged from superb to terrible and back again.
But let's be methodical. The disc in question is a reissue of the debut album from the Swedish power metal brigade, originally recorded in 2000 and released on the Loud 'n' Proud label. In this edition, the disc is supplemented with two tracks not listed in the tracklist for some reason -- demo versions of the songs Cursed and Escape.
Not a bad cover and a logo done in an old-school style. The booklet's interior, however, leaves much to be desired -- it's just too bland and monotonous.
And now, what we're all here for -- the music. And the tunes, I'll tell you, have a whiff of mothballs about them. But that's by no means a bad thing, and for some it's even very good.
Musically, The Hunter sits somewhere deep in the late '80s/early '90s and evokes pleasant associations with BLIND GUARDIAN, and at times even RUNNING WILD (the track Heart and Steel). The album contains catchy solo passages and decent melodies. But the vocals, to be honest, disappointed me a little. Perhaps it's precisely the vocals that transport me back to those distant times when maestro Timo Tolkki was just starting to belt out on Fright Night and Stratovarius II.
What can I say? You won't find anything new -- everything is standard and predictable, both musically and lyrically.
So this is a release strictly for true power metal fans.