I was first made aware of Signum Regis, the Slovak metal band, from the Ulterium Records website. I am a huge fan of the band Theocracy and figured if their label-mates were anything close to their caliber, I would be in for a treasure trove of new (to me) metal. I was not wrong. No longer on the Ulterium label, Signum Regis has released a remix and remaster of their 2020 EP \u201cFlag of Hope\u201d. This release contains the original five songs and adds two more tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Formed in 2007 by bassist Ronnie K\u00f6nig, Signum Regis has released six full length albums and three EPs. Their brand of metal ranges from neo-classical to jazz-influenced instrumentals. The core of the band has been consistent since 2010 when Jaro Jan\u010dula filled the drummer slot. Vocalist changes have plagued the band since its founding with three different singers filling the front-man slot. The current singer, Jota Fortinho, is a powerhouse singer in the vein of early Geoff Tate (Queensryche) or ZP Theart (DragonForce, Skid Row).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFlag of Hope\u201d, released on the Beyond The Storm Productions label, is exactly what an EP needs to be. Serving as a sampler of sorts, it is a great introduction to Signum Regis. The seven tracks are varied, catchy, and above all else, melodic. I usually do not do a track-by-track summary in my reviews, but since this EP only has seven tracks, let\u2019s tackle each song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGiven Up For Lost\u201d, the opener is a flaming, molten example of Signum Regis is full-on power metal mode. It\u2019s all there, the speeding riffs, the machine-gun percussion, and the major-key massive vocals on the chorus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStand Away\u201d is a bombastic version of the great Angra anthem. The song starts with a clean guitar and vocal intro which leads into a symphonic metal wall of sound. The five-minute tune is a showcase for the band\u2019s ability to make a cover song into their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVoyage to the Distant Shores\u201d is a neo-classical instrumental which avoids the boredom trap so many shredders fall into by bouncing from Satriani like clean tones to Malmsteenesque trips up and down the fretboard. And just when the million-notes-a-second silliness threatens to wear out its welcome, the song changes gears into a flamenco inspired passage. The track leaves us on a power-metal speed run with every musician playing in perfect unison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The title track, \u201cFlag of Hope\u201d, brings us back to what Signum does so well, the classic metal anthem. Bringing in guest vocalists like former Signum Regis singers, Matt Smith (Theocracy), and others, Signum has crafted a song of hope to fuel our optimism through this difficult time. And with lyrics like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am not a young man anymore<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I got beaten and dragged to the floor<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I always stood up<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I never gave up<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cos’ I fight ’till the end<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was born under the flag of hope<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I carry it as my own<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wherever, whenever I may go<\/p>\n\n\n\n
they have accomplished this goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTune of War\u201d, seen previously on the Addendum Primum EP, is a call to arms inspired by speeches from leaders like Patrick Henry, William the Conqueror, and Winston Churchill. This version sees Jota Fortinho singing lead and former Signum vocalist, Mayo Petranin, singing backing vocals. I know the word \u2018anthem\u2019 has appeared twice before in this review, but that is the only way to describe this song. Rousing lyrics, crushing rhythms, and an enormous chorus should get any crowd\u2019s blood and fists pumping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAmorenada\u201d, also previously released on the Addendum Primum EP, is a gorgeous instrumental that would feel at home on a Trevor Rabin (Yes) or Rik Emmett (Triumph) release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAva Maria\u201d is a great instrumental take on the classic piece with Konig\u2019s bass taking center stage in a duet with guitarist Filip Kolu\u0161. This track has a very \u201cTop Gun Anthem\u201d feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve dissected the songs, now let\u2019s look at other aspects of this EP:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Production is stellar with the great Jacob Hansen (Amaranthe, Evergrey, Delain, Primal Fear, Pyramaze, Unleash the Archers) remixing and remastering these songs. Exactly what we would expect from a Hansen production, the sonics are perfection. The mix is airy, bright, and well spaced with the mastering allowing the dynamics of these songs to breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The song writing is strong, but with an EP it should be. Having a limited number of tracks precludes the need for filler and Signum Regis delivers some very-strong tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instrumentation has never been a weakness of this band with all the musicians being world class. Each member gets to shine and the interplay within the songs is complex and sophisticated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The vocals lift this band above its contemporaries. Jota Fortinho is equally at home in the soft emotional passages of the \u201cStand Away\u201d intro to the belting, almost growling, delivery of the \u201cTune of War\u201d chorus. The multi-part dubbing on choruses throughout this EP is near majestic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a fan of symphonic metal akin to Kamelot, Nightwish, and Darkwater, give this EP a spin. It is a great introduction to the world that is Signum Regis. Then enjoy discovering the rest of their excellent discography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signum Regis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jota Fortinho – vocals<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ronnie K\u00f6nig – bass guitar<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Filip Kolu\u0161 – guitar<\/p>\n\n\n\n
J\u00e1n Tup\u00fd – keyboards and backing vocals<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jaro Jan\u010dula – drums<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I was first made aware of Signum Regis, the Slovak metal band, from the Ulterium…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":6439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1020],"tags":[318],"class_list":["post-6438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-review","tag-signum-regis"],"yoast_head":"\n