The lukewarm releases are unfortunate insomuch that they are forgotten. It’s true that an individual is less likely to dismiss a work of excellence – such as Frantic Bleep’s “The Sense Apparatus” – but it’s also fact that one is prone to remember the atrocities as well. Olympos Mons’s “Conquistador” is, sadly, doomed to flail about in a nondescript sea of superior releases, which will be grabbed long before the Limb Music Products’s album will be coveted.

The song “Seven Seas” introduces us to the power metal that is so prevalent on Olympos Mons’s latest opus. Progressive elements – akin to Symphony X – will hit you over the head in “Stars.” As with most power metal groups, the choruses are immediately catchy and likeable, but still aren’t able to save some tracks from being mediocre. The rhythms and crunch of the distorted guitars in “The Last Light of the Moon” are completely welcome, as is the double-bass. The vocalizations are well performed, though, as the singer never shies away from attempting to reach the higher notes in various scales. “Wanted Man” sees the band claim a frantic pace, “Black” is the other side of the juxtaposition (cause it commences with organ instrumentation), and “Through the Ice and Snow” is a serene, Renaissance-esque composition. “Black Desiree” starts bombastically, unlike “Cleopatra.” However, “The Princess of Saba” is reminiscent of other prog artists in distortion-laden frenzy. “Lady in White” retains a majestic feel to its inception, and “Conquistador” – the title track – is an amalgamation of different vibes. The end of the latter is when the disc expires.

Thus, we come to the end of Olympos Mons’s offering. Despite being able to steadily compete with other proggers, the band isn’t able to usurp groups such as Symphony X, Dream Theater, or Fates Warning. Given some time, though, they may be able to successfully do the aforementioned. Until then, “Conquistador” will have to be shelved but also be regarded as a nice try.

[This review was first published on the now defunct scandinavianmetal.info webzine]