According strictly to the words of founding member Jussi Lehtisalo of PHARAOH OVERLÖRD, there are two ‘different’ incarnations of the band; one written PHARAOH OVERLORD and one PHARAOH OVERLÖRD – and each of them has different lineups. The latter mentioned, PHARAOH OVERLÖRD, have released 2 studio albums under this moniker, off which their 6th record, "Out Of Darkness", is nearly 66,6% water-proof, early 80s-tinged Heavy Metal album with some occasional Speed Metal overtones, whereas the rest of their past records have not much to do with Metal music at all – maybe only with an exception of the band’s fourth album simply titled as "#4", in which PHARAOH OVERLÖRD started showing some of their more metallic tendencies, what was possibly about to come from their direction. Enough about the history lesson of them; let’s get back to "Out Of Darkness" though. From the first moments of the record, PHARAOH OVERLÖRD sound like they would have played a relentless, strongly NWOBHM-tinged Heavy Metal for the entire lifespan of the band – sounding masculine, raw, pleasingly innovative even but first and foremost, well prepared and convincing straight into the bone, leaving not much unquestionable suspiciousness (if any) whether their uncompromising, metallic cuts wouldn’t do their job, and set fire to each of us eventually. They do – and in fact it’s pretty darn hard to resist PHARAOH OVERLÖRD’s hard rockin’ and yet somehow so amazingly relaxed Metal attack on "Out Of Darkness"; it makes you feel good. With some help coming from the courtesy of Bruce Duff (JESTERS OF DESTINY, ANGUS KHAN), Sam Velde (NIGHT HORSE) and Frank Meyer (ANGUS KHAN) both vocal and lead guitar-wise, PHARAOH OVERLÖRD can be proud of what they have achieved on this record. Has someone told them already how much Sam Velde actually reminds of Glen Danzig with his vocal parts in ‘Out Of Darkness’ and ‘I Am The Night’? Anyway, in conclusion I don’t hesitate to say "Out Of Darkness" should appeal musically the fans of OMEN, ARMORED SAINT, BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, TROUBLE, etc. – and just overall the fans of late 70s and early 80s Heavy Metal. www.ektrorecords.com