Band:	Gitaron
Album:	Mental Visions
Style:	Heavy metal
Release date:	July 2009

01. Inauguration
02. Excalibur
03. Enter My Church
04. Flame Of Hate
05. When Your Number Is Up
06. Blood On The Wall
07. Lord Of Vengeance
08. We're Knights
09. Hunted
10. The Wrong Man At The Wrong Place

Heavy metal
Recorded: Midas Recording Studios, Belgium 2008-2009
Unsigned/Self-released
Length: 43:09



It has cost them a lot of sweat, blood and work. During the recordings the band had to endure quite a few line-up changes. On top of that, the band had to deal with several tedious technical problems and issues causing even more setback. But now it is finally here: Mental Visions, the debut album of Gitaron.

Already in my review of the band's demo and during the interviews I had with Gitaron, I noticed more than once this band feels very strongly about the spirit of heavy metal. Accordingly, my first impression of Mental Visions was that of a very consistent and heavy album - no real standout tracks* but no particularly weak songs either. Everything just fits perfectly.


*don't get me wrong here. The album has several peachy and memorable songs. Each track is supposed to be a standout track on its own, I guess. That's why there's no real standout track, as the band tried to put something "outstanding" in each song.


Being loyal to the heavy metal feel, Gitaron plays it really safe on their debut album (maybe even a bit too safe?). Their only goal, so it seems, is coming up with a solid release. This is indeed a release that never has any intention of jeopardizing the main idea of delivering heavy metal with a punch to it - though not far away from the run-of-the-mill zone. What Gitaron does here is playing heavy metal with a passion for the vintage touch. And such a vintage and traditional sound, which is really all over the place, is still more than welcome in 2009.

Compared to the demo, the full-length has a decidedly heavier edge and a "newer" flavorful sound. The album features all five demo songs, re-recorded with the new line-up - which also means with new vocalist Nico De Clercq. His vocals are a bit more gravelly than those of Gio Smet, but all the more are they adding value to the seemingly "raw" fringes that are still part of the band's sound. Furthermore, Mental Visions is full of intense heavy metal melody and is jam-packed with memorable choruses, catchy hooks and powerful guitar leads. That is to say, an album after the heart of many true metalheads.

The Belgian heavy metal outfit has come a long way since recording its first demo, that much is true. Mental Visions turns out to be a unexcessive yet forthright release - exactly the kind of effort you would expect from a humble yet confident band such as Gitaron. The album shouldn't require that much in-depth listening, and thus I'm sure such an overall enjoyable record like this will make them move up in the Belgian metal scene in no time. Job well done, guys.