LOSS ANGELES

"Loss Angeles" is the third full-length studio album by Finnish death/thrash/power metal act Throne of Chaos. On this release they have however shortened their name to TOC. The album was released through Spinefarm Records in October 2003 in Finland (and internationally through InsideOut Music in 2004). This would be their last album in their original run as they disbanded in 2005. It´s the successor to "Pervertigo" from 2002 and features one lineup change as TOC have opted to add clean vocalist Tuomas Nieminen to the ranks, making the band a sextet on "Loss Angeles".

TOC (under the Throne of Chaos monicker) started out as a melodeath band on their debut full-length studio album "Menace And Prayer" (2000), but already moved on to something different on "Pervertigo" (2002), which combined their core melodeath sound with melodic thrash metal and power metal, incorporating clean vocals. "Loss Angeles" sees TOC playing a melodic power metal style with progressive metal elements, and only very few nods toward melodeath and thrash metal. Nieminen is a great addition to the ranks. He has a strong voice and a powerful commanding delivery (giving off a strong Sonata Arctica vibe in the vocal department). The harsh vocals (performed by guitarist Taneli Kiljunen) are few and far between and predominantly appear on the song "Break-A-Neck".

"Loss Angeles" features 10 tracks and a total playing time of 44:27 minutes. 9 originals and a cover of "Smoke On The Water" by Deep Purple. The latter delivered in a fast speed/power metal version, which is actually pretty well done. The album is a pretty dynamic release, featuring both loud and epic moments and more subdued and mellow sections, as well as a couple of harder edged faster and more aggressive sections. The music is drenched in signature Finnish melancholy and sense for soaring epic melodies. It´s an album which requires a few spins to sink in, and it´s not necessarily an album which will please fans of the band´s early releases, as TOC have by now moved far away from the melodeath of the "Menace And Prayer" (2000). It´s quite interesting how different their three albums sound.

"Loss Angeles" features a powerful, clear sounding, and detailed production job, which suits the material perfectly. Upon conclusion "Loss Angeles" is a high quality release by Throne of Chaos, and although they aren´t the most original sounding act out there (listen to how they almost rip-off Devin Townsend on "Blue Lady"), they still show signs here of something a bit more unique. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)