Evil Masquerade

Evil Masquerade sounds like a haunted opera house that has been taken over by a high-octane metal band. The music is defined by its sharp, neo-classical guitar work and a pervasive sense of the theatrical, often incorporating organ patches and harpsichord sounds that evoke a dark carnival or a Victorian nightmare. It is fast, technically demanding, and unapologetically dramatic.

What sets them apart is the 'Devilish Rock'n'Roll' ethos, which injects a sense of playfulness into the otherwise stern world of power metal. While many of their peers lean into high-fantasy or historical themes, Henrik Flyman's compositions feel more like a series of macabre short stories. The production is crisp and modern, allowing the intricate interplay between the keyboards and the shredding guitars to remain front and center.

Start with 'Fade to Black' for their most refined production and cohesive atmosphere. If you prefer the raw energy of their early work, 'Welcome to the Show' captures the band's initial burst of vaudevillian metal energy. It is the perfect gateway for anyone who finds standard power metal too bright and wants something with a bit more shadow and grit.