Don't look now but it's the return of the Mercury Men!

Or better known in "metal" circles as Metalium who at first glance look like the second coming of Crimson Glory-half men, half machine… and maybe 30-40% Sacred Steel!

"State of Triumph" represents intergalactic metal at all out warp speed-precision melodies clash triumphantly with blazing arrangements, fretboard firepower, a violent surge of vocal thunder-sure you've heard it before about a decade and a half earlier with the likes of Helloween and Gravedigger and all our once "fallen" heroes whose memories are kept alive in spite of their still ongoing existence!

Continuing on from where "Millennium Metal-Chapter One" left off, the hero, Metalian, the warrior… and do we see another "There can be only one…" storyline developing here?

Revisit a time when fantasy comes to life amidst crashing waves of power and might, myth and mysticism breathe freely within this "Steel Avenger," as he prepares for battle against the forces of evil in this conceptual cleansing that sets your spirit soaring.

Hailing from Germany, as if you didn't know, Metalium combines digitally enhanced power…

Cyber-metal would be a good place to start, with the majesty and magic of your favorite role-playing fantasy and one can only imagine how this will unfold in the live circuit…

European audiences are undoubtedly worshipping the ground they hover over about now. I just hope for their sake Metalium doesn't do themselves up in this silver body paint before going on stage-by the end of the show there'd be nothing left but piles of ash where they once stood!

Everything we've grown to love and long for in the true spirit of heavy metal is all present and accounted for in this follow up release by Metalium… look for 'em to quickly arrive in a comic book near you!

Released by Pavement Music

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]