Review PARADOX “Mysterium”

The announcement of a new Paradox album is always an exciting moment, as the band has released several excellent metal records. It all started in 1987 when Paradox debuted with the stunning album “Product of Imagination.” At the time, the band was sometimes considered the German equivalent of bands like Metallica, and their momentum continued with the release of their second album, “Heresy”. Unfortunately, the band disbanded in 1991, but mainman Charly Steinhauer reactivated the metal powerhouse in 1998.

Fate was not always on Paradox’s side, as Steinhauer had to deal with health issues. Still, great records like “Tales of the Weird” were released during the second era. In 2023, another stroke of fate hit the band. Founding member Axel Blaha passed away far too early, but Steinhauer never gave up.

The new album, “Mysterium,” showcases the bandleader’s stamina, and there’s more. Paradox’s latest album is a one-man effort, with Steinhauer playing all the string instruments himself, while a drum computer provides the album’s heartbeat. We could start a philosophical discussion about this, but Steinhauer openly communicated the setup, showing his honest and open nature.

A first song, “Kholat,” was presented a few weeks ago, and fans were offered a blasting hybrid of speed and thrash metal. The song starts with an intro and is a thunderous opening to the album, showing that Paradox hasn’t lost any of its vehemence. The thumping “Abyss of Pain and Fear” is a thrash metal anthem with plenty of ’80s charm. Its intense speed and breaks challenge the musical gearbox, showcasing the facets of Paradox’s musical endeavor.

“Grief” and “Tunguska” are two interludes that enhance the flow of the album. They serve as a counterbalance to intense songs like “Pile of Shame.” The latter demonstrates why Paradox has drawn comparisons to early Metallica. Steinhauer maintained these roots while releasing a new album with more depth.

The songs on “Mysterium” are rather long, surpassing four minutes. This may be challenging at a time when attention spans are getting shorter. However, it showcases Steinhauer’s creativity and the versatility he brings to “Mysterium.”

Despite the power resonating in these songs, it’s the melodic aspect of this thrash metal monolith that allows for quick connection. Even on the first listen, each track unfolds its infectious melodies, and the title track is a good example of this. The album ends with another thrash metal blast in “The Demon God.” It’s a classic Paradox headbanger that perfectly represents the band’s signature sound.

“Mysterium” is a powerful thrash metal album from a band with its first heyday in the ’80s. This latest effort maintains the sound from back then while adding a modern twist. “Mysterium” may not compete with the first two albums, but it presents excellent thrash and speed metal with great twists. It is an album based on willpower and a love of metal. This is evident in each tone, which is what makes “Mysterium” a stunning metal album.