Signum Regis hailing from Slovakia, was formed by bass player and songwriter Ronnie König in 2007 and offers up some heavy doses of Melodic European Power Metal in the veins of Harmony and Theocracy. The band states that the name 'Signum Regis' simply means “royal signature.”  

       We should note that Signum Regis is not necessarily a christian band when considering their first two albums however on their third release 'Exodus,' we find that SR has invited guest Vocalists from various christian bands like Matt Smith(Theocracy), Eli Prinsen(The Sacrificed, Sacred Warrior), and Lance King(ex Pyramaze, Balance Of Power).  

In 2013 Signum Regis released their 3rd full-length album simply titled 'Exodus' on Ulterium Records. What we have here is a project where different musicians came together to tell a story about the accounts of Moses & the Israelites in Egypt as seen in the bible. This album draws comparison to the Exodus story told by the band Amaseffer with their 'Slaves For Life' release. With Signum Regis's 2013 release each song tells a different part of the story using different Vocalists to convey imagery and atmosphere.  All instruments were recorded in the band's own studio and the vocals of each guest were recorded in their own local studios. Due to the variances in quality in each individually produced track, Signum Regis had to use modern equalizer enhancements in order to balance them all out so that the overall sound of the album was coherent.  

       The thing that helps act as glue to tie all the different songs together with all the different vocalist is the incredible guitar work of Signum Regis's finest Filip Koluš. His reoccurring themed guitar riffs and style, helps produce atmosphere and unity throughout the album so that it doesn't sound so much like a compilation project. This album also includes an awesome solo track by Filip called "Last Days In Egypt" which is upbeat and sounds more on the up and jubilant end as you can imagine that the Israelites had the anticipation of leaving to be free. I also really enjoy the Egyptian like sounds that our axe bearer produces helping to complete the imagery that they are trying to convey.

        Some of the tracks that really stand out on this record are "Enslaved", "The Promised Land", "The Ten Plagues", and "Exodus". "The Promised Land" also incorporates some symphonic touches at the opening of the song which helps add to the variation on this disc.

       If you have been wondering why the song "Sole Survivor" is on this album as it adds nothing to the Exodus account then the following info will be interesting to you. “Sole Survivor” is a cover song by the band Helloween which Signum Regis was going to put on a tribute album but ended up placing it on this 'Exodus' project. 

       The following are some of the lyrics off the 'Exodus' album:

"Enslaved"
[Chorus:]
Now we're enslaved
crushed and dismayed
forced labor we must do
it's hell what we go through
there's nothing we can do

before daylight
till the late night
they breath down our necks
as sweat runs down our backs
our future is all black

[Verse:]
Under oppression as hard as it can get
we became numerous, multiplied and spread

as our numbers grew so did their fear
fear that we could join their enemies
leave the country when a war breaks out
and fight them


"The Ten Plagues"
[Verse:]
There's always a choice
which way to go
even if you're the King

If you don't let us go,
to worship our God,
you will see major signs

[Chorus:]
the water shall turn to blood
lice shall rise from the dust
hordes of frogs come out of water
hailstorm shall strike the ground

[Verse:]
stretch out your hand
toward the sky
darken all of the earth

let Egyptians see
the weakness of Ra
the folly of their belief

[Bridge:]
one might wonder
how dour the King must be

how much longer
will it take till we are free?

[Chorus:]
no cure for plague of boils
no hope when thunder spoils
no escape from the darkness
no point to fight our God


"Exodus"
[Verse:]
you are the last one
you still can not give in
your obstinent heart
asks for the final plague

[Bridge:]
no one will be left behind, all firstborns will die
only doors with marks of blood Angel Of Death is passing by

[Chorus:]
heading for our freedom, pursued by the enemies
as we go across the Red Sea,
Pharaoh shall taste our victory

[Verse:]
six hundred chariots,
with warrios on them all
surrounded by clouds
and by water walls

[Bridge:]
they all ran for their doom, straight to the waters grave
all of them found their tomb, none escaped that rave     
       

(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)

         If you like the uplifting sound that Power Metal offers, then there's no doubt that you are going to love this release by Signum Regis! Support the band by picking up your copy of 'Exodus' today!

 Musicians :
 Filip Koluš-guitars
 Ronnie König-bass,
 Jaro Jančula-Drums

Guest Vocalists:
  Thomas L. Winkler(Gloryhammer,Emerald) - "Enslaved"
  Mayo Petranin(Castaway,Signum Regis)  - "Mountain Of God"
  Mike Vescera(Obsession,Yngwie Malmsteen)  - "The Promised Land"
  Eli Prinsen(The Sacrificed, Sacred Warrior) - "Let Us Go!"
  Samuel Nyman (Manimal) - "Wrath Of Pharaoh"
  Matt Smith(Theocracy) - "The Ten Plagues", "Song Of Deliverance(backing vocals)"
  Lance King(ex Pyramaze, Balance Of Power) - "Exodus", "Song Of Deliverance(backing vocals)"
  Daísa Munhoz(Vandroya,SoulSpell) - "Song Of Deliverance"
  Göran Edman(Yngwie Malmsteen,Signum Regis 1st two albums too) - "Sole Survivor"

Guest Musicians:
  Libor Křivák- guitar solo on Exodus
  Ivo Hofmann- keyboards and orchestral arrangements on The Promised Land
  Janči Tupý - keyboards on The Last Days In Egypt
  Ado Kaláber - first guitar solo on The Last Days In Egypt
  Adrian Ciel - drums on Sole Survivor