Release
Date: September 12th, 2025
Format: CD/LP
Genre: Progressive/Power Metal
Country: United States
Mystic-Force came out of Baltimore in the mid
eighties and built a name through hard work, constant releases and a streak of
demo tapes that earned them an underground following. The line up that shaped
their most recognized era brought together Rich
Davis, Keith Menser, Bobby Hicks and Chris
Lembach, a team with strong chemistry and a steady drive to push
forward. Through the early nineties the band delivered material that placed
them among the more adventurous American power metal acts before eventually
moving on to new paths.
This new
edition of “Take Command” gathers the original studio tracks along with songs
from singles, demos and several live recordings. The central material from 1990
captures the band at a point where they were hungry and energetic, playing with
precision and a sense of ambition that fits their reputation. The four studio
tracks at the core show the group balancing heavy riffs, expressive vocals and
tightly packed ideas. It has that early nineties charm, raw but focused, and
the sound reflects a band that was pushing themselves without drifting into
chaos.
The later
additions, especially the 1990 demo cuts, offer a look at how the group shaped
their style. You can hear the same attitude, the same urge to push forward,
only in a rougher form. The live recordings included here add extra character.
They capture a band that was confident on stage, loud, energetic and clearly
connecting with the crowd. Nothing about these recordings is neat or trimmed,
which actually makes the release more interesting as a document of the band’s
history.
Overall
this reissue presents an honest and engaging picture of Mystic-Force during their most active period. It is not a quick
listen. It is a long dive into everything they were creating at the time,
strong studio work mixed with the grit of early demos and the chaotic charm of
live shows. Fans of American power metal will likely appreciate the honesty of
the material and the effort to bring it all together in one place. As a tribute
to the band’s past and to the memory of Keith
Menser, it works well and has a sense of respect.
Score: 8.0
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