Signum Regis is a Slovakian Power Metal band that was formed by bassist-Ronnie König back in 2007. Even though the band has their roots in Europe, Signum Regis refuses to play keyboard driven fluffy Europena "Flower Metal". Signum Regis has a heavier Power Metal sound that draws comparison to bands like Seventh Avenue which have been heavily forged in the fire. When it comes to the meaning behind the band's moniker, the band states that their name Signum Regis simply stands for "Royal Signature."
After their conception, Signum Regis entered the studios and got to work on material for a first album. In 2008 the band released their debut full-length self-titled album on Locomotive Records. After the publication of their debut, Signum Regis went on to release a number of albums. In 2010, Signum Regis followed up with the release of their sophomore full-length album titled 'The Eyes Of Power' on Inner Wound Recordings. In 2013 the band showed no signs of stopping when they released their 3rd highly acclaimed full-length studio album titled 'Exodus' on Ulterium Records. Exodus was a concept album that told the story of Moses and the children of Israel. The album was also unique because it featured a number of different vocalists throughout the album.
In 2015 Signum Regis released their 4th studio album titled 'Chapter IV: The Reckoning' on Ulterium Records. The album was produced by Signum Regis and Mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios. The album was both Recorded and Mixed by Ronnie König. The album's stunning cover art was done by Jan Yrlund. This was a solid offering for this Slovakian band with their album receiving rave reviews from around the world.
The line-up for this 2015 recording was comprised of lead vocalist-Mayo Petranin, lead guitarist-Filip Koluš, bassist-Ronnie König, keyboardist-Ján Tupý, and drummer-Jaro Jančula.
The track-list for 'Chapter IV: The Reckoning' includes 1.Lost and Found 2.The Secret of the Sea 3.The Voice In the Wilderness 4.Prophet of Doom 5.The Magi 6.Quitters Never Win 7.Tempter of Evil 8.When Freedom Fails
9.The Kingdom of Heaven 10.Bells Are Tolling.
The line-up for this 2015 recording was comprised of lead vocalist-Mayo Petranin, lead guitarist-Filip Koluš, bassist-Ronnie König, keyboardist-Ján Tupý, and drummer-Jaro Jančula.
The track-list for 'Chapter IV: The Reckoning' includes 1.Lost and Found 2.The Secret of the Sea 3.The Voice In the Wilderness 4.Prophet of Doom 5.The Magi 6.Quitters Never Win 7.Tempter of Evil 8.When Freedom Fails
9.The Kingdom of Heaven 10.Bells Are Tolling.
In 2023 Signum Regis joined forces with Ulterium Records and re-released their 2015 album with the original recording being completely overhauled. 'Chapter IV: The Reckoning' (Version 2023) was remixed and remastered in house by the band's very own Filip Kolus. The album's lead vocals have been redone on this latest version and now feature vocals by the current Signum Regis vocalist-Jota Fortinho. I believe the band makes the transition easier to a new frontman by bringing on Jota Fortinho who's vocals are similar in sound to that of his predecessor - Petranin. However, the notable difference between Fortinho & Petranin is that Fortinho's vocals are slightly heavier. The album's cover art features newly revisualized artwork that was managed by members of Signum Regis.
Ronnie König of Signum Regis stated: "Chapter IV: The Reckoning has been our best-selling album. Despite the success we felt like the full sonic and production potential was not reached when we released it in 2015. They say it's never too late to make things right, so after 8 years since the release we are releasing a new version of this album that we are really excited about. It's not just a remaster. The songs were re-recorded to a large degree. The drums are completely re-recorded, some other instrumental parts too and the big thing are the vocals as our current singer Jota Fortinho recorded his takes of the vocals. Some songs sound so fresh now, that they will not only energize new fans but also the fans of the old release. But don't worry! Mayo Petranin who was the lead singer back then is still a part of this re-release. Many of his backing vocals are used in this version and there will also be a special version of this album with his lead vocals released at a later stage."
The line-up for this 2023 reissue is comprised of lead vocalist-Jota Fortinho, lead guitarist-Filip Koluš, bassist-Ronnie König, keyboardist-Ján Tupý, and drummer-Jaro Jančula.
The track-list for 'Chapter IV: The Reckoning' includes 1.Lost and Found 2.The Secret of the Sea 3.The Voice In the Wilderness 4.Prophet of Doom 5.The Magi 6.Quitters Never Win 7.Tempter of Evil 8.When Freedom Fails
9.The Kingdom of Heaven 10.Bells Are Tolling.
Ronnie König of Signum Regis stated: "Chapter IV: The Reckoning has been our best-selling album. Despite the success we felt like the full sonic and production potential was not reached when we released it in 2015. They say it's never too late to make things right, so after 8 years since the release we are releasing a new version of this album that we are really excited about. It's not just a remaster. The songs were re-recorded to a large degree. The drums are completely re-recorded, some other instrumental parts too and the big thing are the vocals as our current singer Jota Fortinho recorded his takes of the vocals. Some songs sound so fresh now, that they will not only energize new fans but also the fans of the old release. But don't worry! Mayo Petranin who was the lead singer back then is still a part of this re-release. Many of his backing vocals are used in this version and there will also be a special version of this album with his lead vocals released at a later stage."
The line-up for this 2023 reissue is comprised of lead vocalist-Jota Fortinho, lead guitarist-Filip Koluš, bassist-Ronnie König, keyboardist-Ján Tupý, and drummer-Jaro Jančula.
The track-list for 'Chapter IV: The Reckoning' includes 1.Lost and Found 2.The Secret of the Sea 3.The Voice In the Wilderness 4.Prophet of Doom 5.The Magi 6.Quitters Never Win 7.Tempter of Evil 8.When Freedom Fails
9.The Kingdom of Heaven 10.Bells Are Tolling.
Frontman-Jota Fortinho takes front and center on this 2023 reissue and delivers up a solid performance with his raspy & heavy vocal delivery. If I had to make a comparison of Fortinho's vocal style to another singer, then I would have to say that Jota draws comparison to singer-Herbie Langhans(Seventh Avenue) or Hansi Kürsch(Bling Guardian).
The lead guitarist for Signum Regis is Filip Koluš and with just one spin of this record it becomes very clear that Koluš knows his way around the 6-strings. Yes, Koluš can shred and hold his own with the best of Power Metal guitarists!
Lyrics are written by Ronnie König and are thought provoking
with a focus on the Lord as one can see in the following excerpts:
with a focus on the Lord as one can see in the following excerpts:
"The Voice in the Wilderness"
Clothed just with camel's hair
Leathern girdle ‘bout my loins
Spent my days on desert sand
I'm sent to baptize in this land
The kingdom of God is at our hands
Repent and believe
All heaven doors shall open wide
Great things shall you see
I baptize you with water
Make straight the way of the Lord
Behold the Lamb of God
He takes away the sins of the world
"Prophet of Doom"
(Jeremiah 38)
It was not my own ambition to become a prophet
I was just a boy when I heard the call
For my teachings I was beaten
Mocked and often ridiculed
Almost starved to death locked up in a tank
Hear my voice, mark my words
I am here to warn you
For your kingdom will burn in flames
From the north, to your doors
Comes a gruesome disaster
Sound the trumpet throughout the land
Now's the time for you to repent
"Tempter of Evil"
The castles of gold
All goblets of glorious victory
All this I'll give you
If you will bow down and worship me
You would not ever see misery
Your rod would change history
You'll hold the throne of this land till
I get back to take your soul
Don't trust the liar
Never telling you the truth
Playing with fire
Won't do any good for you
Tempter of evil
Wicked deceiver
"When Freedom Fails"
Citizen spies and skynet drones
Highway checkpoints, martial law
Training for slave mentality
Collective guilt, insanity
Eyes in the skies, are now watching you
You're being taxed for everything you do
No man escapes when freedom fails
All the best men will rot in filthy jails
And those who cried "appease! Appease!
"are hung by those whom they tried to please
Oh... We are on our way
Oh... We won't go astray
Oh... We are on our way
Oh... We won't go astray
I wonder, how did we come to this point?
How did we lose all sanity?
As we turned away from God
We let all hell break loose
"The Kingdom of Heaven"
The kingdom of heaven
The kingdom of heaven is near
Proclaim the good news
The kingdom of heaven
Has come now near
We're on our way
Like a sheep into the midst of wolves
Dragged before kings and governors
We raise the dead, we heal the pain, we cast out demons
We hold the truth, all in His name, we are free men
"Bells Are Tolling"
There is a time for everything
And a season for every activity
Under the heavens
A time to be born and a time to die
A time to search and a time to give up
Whatever is has already been before
In its time all has been made beautiful
In the human heart there is eternity
Yet no one can fathom what god has done
Clothed just with camel's hair
Leathern girdle ‘bout my loins
Spent my days on desert sand
I'm sent to baptize in this land
The kingdom of God is at our hands
Repent and believe
All heaven doors shall open wide
Great things shall you see
I baptize you with water
Make straight the way of the Lord
Behold the Lamb of God
He takes away the sins of the world
"Prophet of Doom"
(Jeremiah 38)
It was not my own ambition to become a prophet
I was just a boy when I heard the call
For my teachings I was beaten
Mocked and often ridiculed
Almost starved to death locked up in a tank
Hear my voice, mark my words
I am here to warn you
For your kingdom will burn in flames
From the north, to your doors
Comes a gruesome disaster
Sound the trumpet throughout the land
Now's the time for you to repent
"Tempter of Evil"
The castles of gold
All goblets of glorious victory
All this I'll give you
If you will bow down and worship me
You would not ever see misery
Your rod would change history
You'll hold the throne of this land till
I get back to take your soul
Don't trust the liar
Never telling you the truth
Playing with fire
Won't do any good for you
Tempter of evil
Wicked deceiver
"When Freedom Fails"
Citizen spies and skynet drones
Highway checkpoints, martial law
Training for slave mentality
Collective guilt, insanity
Eyes in the skies, are now watching you
You're being taxed for everything you do
No man escapes when freedom fails
All the best men will rot in filthy jails
And those who cried "appease! Appease!
"are hung by those whom they tried to please
Oh... We are on our way
Oh... We won't go astray
Oh... We are on our way
Oh... We won't go astray
I wonder, how did we come to this point?
How did we lose all sanity?
As we turned away from God
We let all hell break loose
"The Kingdom of Heaven"
The kingdom of heaven
The kingdom of heaven is near
Proclaim the good news
The kingdom of heaven
Has come now near
We're on our way
Like a sheep into the midst of wolves
Dragged before kings and governors
We raise the dead, we heal the pain, we cast out demons
We hold the truth, all in His name, we are free men
"Bells Are Tolling"
There is a time for everything
And a season for every activity
Under the heavens
A time to be born and a time to die
A time to search and a time to give up
Whatever is has already been before
In its time all has been made beautiful
In the human heart there is eternity
Yet no one can fathom what god has done
Signum Regis is for fans of Seventh Avenue, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody Of Fire, Avantasia, and Dragonforce.
If you are in the market for some solid Power Metal then don't let this one pass you by. If I was just going to purchase one album in the next 2 months, then I would make (Version 2023) that album because it's just that good! Pick up your copy of Signum Regis' 'Chapter IV: The Reckoning' today!
If you are in the market for some solid Power Metal then don't let this one pass you by. If I was just going to purchase one album in the next 2 months, then I would make (Version 2023) that album because it's just that good! Pick up your copy of Signum Regis' 'Chapter IV: The Reckoning' today!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Jota Fortinho - Lead Vocalist
Filip Koluš - Lead Guitars
Ronnie König - Bass
Ján Tupý - Keyboards
Jaro Jančula - Drums
Jota Fortinho - Lead Vocalist
Filip Koluš - Lead Guitars
Ronnie König - Bass
Ján Tupý - Keyboards
Jaro Jančula - Drums