REVIEW: THELEMITE - Powers Of Darkness

 

THELEMITE - Powers Of Darkness

Sleaszy Rider SRL

Dracula goes heavy metal (again)

THELEMITE are back with their fourth album, and this time they dive deep into the hauntingly beautiful, ever-mysterious world of Count Dracula — the legendary figure imagined by Bram Stoker. But this isn’t just another tribute to the classic novel. Instead, the band draws inspiration from a fascinating and obscure 1899 Swedish adaptation of “Dracula”, written by an anonymous author and titled “Mörkrets makter” (“Powers of Darkness”). Unsurprisingly, that’s also the name of the album — and it sets the tone perfectly.

Musically, THELEMITE continue doing what they do best: crafting songs that sound instantly familiar, like echoes from a past you can’t quite place, while still managing to feel fresh, alive, and exciting. Their sound is soaked in '80s spirit — melodic heavy metal with strong power metal undertones, straight from the heart of a decade that defined the genre.

Tracks like “Renfield” practically scream influences from CRIMSON GLORY and SAVATAGE, and you’ll definitely catch flashes of KING DIAMOND’s theatrical style throughout. Then there’s “Nail It to My Heart” — a song that honestly feels like it could’ve been a hidden gem on W.A.S.P.’s “The Crimson Idol”. The whole album is drenched in a horror-infused atmosphere, echoing the showmanship and dark charm of artists like Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, and again, King Diamond — all of which fits beautifully with the gothic, conceptual storyline at play here.

With “Powers of Darkness”, THELEMITE once again prove they know exactly how to channel the essence of classic ‘80s metal while keeping it relevant and invigorating. This is how modern melodic heavy metal should sound — dark, dramatic, and full of heart.

Nick Parastatidis