The Swedish metal band Unchained was officially formed in February 1999, but not until September 2003 did the band get signed to Sound Riot Records. Unchained entered Pama Studios in the end of 2003 to record their self-titled debut album. It took six months to finish this album as the band honed their songwriting skills while they were in the studio.

The music is a blend of classic rock and melodic metal featuring riding riffs in the vein of Iron Maiden and the like. Actually Unchained is really similar to Iron Maiden, and therefore it'll most likely appeal to fans of the aforementioned band. The music of Unchained isn't too innovative and original, but it relies more on being solid well-performed basic metal.

Unchained's guitarist, David Blome, produced this album rather well. The sounds are rather apposite and there's not much to complain about mastering either. Mixing-wise I would have worked more on getting better sounds of cymbals, but otherwise Daniel Johnson has done a good job on mixing this album.

Unchained is a tad too "basic" metal for me to become completely absorbed in. Nevertheless, the band has definitely done their "thing" well, and thus I must commend Unchained for doing a solid metal album.

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- MAGE (February 26th, 2005)

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LINE-UP:
Karlsson, Per: Vocals Blome, David: Guitars, Additional Bass Ericsson, Peter: Guitars Osbeck, Mattias: Bass, Vocals on 'The Analyst', 'I Dream' and 'Seventh Sin' Michaelsson, Martin: Drums Sjövik, Joel: Keyboards Eriksson, Mathias: Additional Bass Guests: Fröberg, Maja: Choir on 'The Analyst' Waldermansson, Anders: Bass on 'Seventh Sin'
Producer:	Blome, David
Mixing by:	Johnson, Daniel & Unchained
Mastering by:	Fossum, Daniel

	TRACKLIST:
	01. My Guide 02. The Analyst 03. Ghost of the Alchemic Hall 04. Theater of Fear 05. I Dream 06. Ordinary Sinner 07. Like the Candle 08. The Great Witch Hunt 09. Seventh Sin Length: 47:52