The land of the rising sun must be shivering in their boots to know that the band TYRANT lives there. “Initiation” opens the CD with harpsichord-like keyboards and chains ringing. TYRANT is somewhat like a harsher King Diamond. The music is ripping with slow harsh singing by Keisuke Kubo.

“Devil’s Pact” features orchestrated music with a satanic voice that talks during the song. I am not of a fan of this style music, but the musicianship is excellent and the production is perfection. The music would be a great soundtrack for any horror movie.

“Fallen Angel of Plague” has speed pounding drums by Toshiya that hook up with the bass by Masato Date and brings this song to life. “Rebellion PART 1” begins with death march keyboards that ooze of evil and the song fades away with rolling drums. On “Riding the Breeze,” finally we finally get to hear some of the guitar playing by Z3 (Yoshihiro Yamaji).

Z3 is an explosive guitar player judging from the small sampling you receive on this CD. Instead of pushing his guitar mastery to the forefront, TYRANT chooses to blend him in with the rest of the band and put their main focus on the drums and keyboards. It is very disappointing that we never really get to hear him do his magic.

You get a little taste of Z3 on “Thy Night Queen, Hecate”-- which is one of the best tracks. “Woe, ruin and death” reminds me of a haunting symphony with a demon talking. “Rebirth of Old Serpent” is the last track and sounds like most of the other tracks on the CD.

This could have been a great CD but too many of the songs sound the same.