MYSTIC-FORCE - A Step Beyond LP BLACK (Pre-Order)

High Roller Records, black vinyl, ltd 250, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover, insert

Audio restoration and mastering by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in September 2024

Bobby Hicks - vocals

Rich Davis - guitar

Keith Menser (R.I.P. 2022) - bass/keyboards

Chris Lembach - drums

Mystic Force were a progressive power metal band from Baltimore in Maryland. After recording a few demo tapes they went on to sign with German label Rising Sun Productions releasing two full-length albums: »The Eternal Quest« (1993) and »A Step Beyond« (1995). This was followed by »Man Vs. Machine« on the band’s own Siegen Records in 2001. After the demise of Mystic Force, drummer Chris Lembach and guitarist Rich Davis formed the band Shift and recorded two albums with them. After that Rich started his own solo project (playing all the instruments himself and even singing), before he once again got a band together and released the »Inside The Upside Down« CD (2024).

Mystic Force were originally formed in 1984 by guitarists Rich Davis and Marc Rouchard together with bass player Keith Menser. The band went through several line-up changes early on before finding Chris Lembach (drums) and Bobby Hicks (vocals).

In 1987, the band issued their first (self-titled) demo tape, which was followed by another tape release, »Blind Vision«, a year later. Next were two vinyl releases (both in 1990), the first, »Take Command«, realized by C.M.F.T. Records in England, and the second, the “Shipwrecked With The Wicked”/”Eternal Quest” 12” single, issued on the band’s own Pro-duction label.

With the help of C.M.F.T. Records over in the UK and Oliver Jung’s “Demolition” distribution network here in Germany, Mystic Force had been getting more and more popular in European underground metal circles, and it was just a question of time for label offers to start coming in. In the end a deal with German label Rising Sun Records was struck and the band’s full-length debut album »The Eternal Quest« appeared in the shops in 1993.

Two years later, in 1995, the follow-up »A Step Beyond« hit the market. “It was hands down my personal favorite recording experience,” says Rich Davis about the album. “We were put into Kajem Recording studio. »Operation Mindcrime« and I think Crimson Glory’s »Transcendence« as well as some Metal Church albums (can’t remember which) were done there. So much history. ”

“I would say »The Eternal Quest« had more fire and tempo and drive to it,” compares Rich the first and the second Mystic Force albums, “»A Step Beyond« was or ended up being very dark and mid-paced. Our songwriting was always changing and growing for sure. As for us getting more progressive on »A Step Beyond«, I guess that could be true. Not by intention though, just the natural growth of the band.”

MATTHIAS MADER

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