Typically any manner of meta-metal raises a red flag that warns any potential listener that there may be stilted, cheesy, and lazy music ahead. Few other musical inclinations can be as problematic because once a band starts deliberately acting metal it can detract from the ultimate goal of writing good music. After all, when a band is just having some fun things can become an inside joke aimed at amusing either the band or metalheads as a whole. But being funny or amusing is completely different from making music that is engaging and interesting, although good music can be both.
I recently delved deeper into Amadis's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/amadismetal, where I was nothing short of delighted to hear that the band didn't succumb to the cheap trap of funny yet forgettable. On their page you can watch a music video that while not nearly as over the top as the cover art is pretty fun and has the music to back it up. Amadis's brand of power metal comes across more like straight heavy metal from what little I have heard but it really works, be sure to check it out. I would group it along with the whole traditional metal revival movement based on the sound and 2010 release date.
With that in mind, the vocals are supremely important and vocalist Sid Distic can deliver despite the cringe worthy moniker. In short, the material you can listen to is powerful enough that if I could ever purchase anything by them I would without any hesitation. I wish I could hear more from the band other than what is on http://www.myspace.com/amadismetal but, in lieu of getting more into the music I will just talk about the cover art.
Now onto the cover art for "Hell Devil!" According to the band's Metal Archives page, the cover art was illustrated by Matt Dixon and wow! Here it is:
Where to start? A Tyrannosaurus Rex is a pretty good place. Notice that beyond being a hugely imposing predatory dinosaur, it also has a headphones that are undoubtedly blasting "Hell Devil" and more importantly a gigantic rocket launcher neck collar. Take a moment to let just this one part of the picture sink in. Good. Now consider that the T-Rex also has a scope manacle apparatus that we can only assume is part of an advanced ocular targeting system.
What is great about this T-Rex is that it encapsulates the awesomely excessive anachronistic juxtaposition of science fiction and fantasy elements in the work. A castle with a satellite floating above, a knight and a jet engine on a supercharged car with spikes in the front, guns and a birdlike creature that might just be that thing you ride in Joust. At this point you might be wondering who the sinister looking eyeliner-scowly-eyebrow gentleman is. I have no idea but I assume he is a bad guy from that look on his face. Yes! Hell Devil!
The great thing about all of this is that from what I heard, Amadis's music is just as awesome as their choice in cover art.
