Metafora

So an original full color sleeve from an old Malaysian Metal band is always a welcomed surprise, even if it's not the most enticing this time around. Compared to their fairly bleak debut, this is a fair improvement and my shortest-hand review would be that "Imaginasi Optimistik" is one of the most American Metal-sounding of the country. Does it make the least bit of sense that I used that particular nominer as opposed to 'US Metal' btw? My point is, this isn't really Power Metal, but very rough'n'ready, ballsy Steel with less of the meekness we're used to from plenty of their metallic countrymen. What's sacrificed upon this altar is of course Originality and Asian Uniqueness, but put next to your average Western 80's HM rarity, this album sure holds its own  (...as an edited 5-song Mini-LP of course but that ALWAYS goes without saying). 

"Menari Di Puncak Dunia" is as punchy a Heavy Metal-standard Opener you could ask for, with all the early Shrapnel/Metal Blade-Metal riffing in the right places and the semi-following "Menjejak Identiti" continue on this trail with honors, but the finest tunes are to be found on the B-side: The Hard Rock of "Rockamania Kedamaian" will fly by rather unnoticed, but once we get to the Power-ripper "Bayangan Kehancuran" we're all smiles & horns! Think ye olde Euro-pearls like Pretty Maids, ADX, Brainfever etc and bang your head accordingly. The following highlight "Manifestasi Kembara Yang Unggul" is harmony-Steel proud as proud can be, including the strongest chorus of the album and perfectly merging the Epic with the post-NWOBHM in the best of majestic Valhalla/Glacier/Tredegar traditions.

Surprisingly this is one of the more common and affordable Malay vinyls and even if it wouldn't quite make the country's top-10, I'd still say it's a fairly recommendable piece of Asian Metal heritage, however Westernized it may sound to these ears.