First of all I have to admit. I have had a passing interest with this band at best. Before listening to this album I had listened to the band's second album "Neverworld" a few times that's about it. So I can not really compare to any previous material.
That may be fitting for this review as the band have had a major line up change, basically every one has been replaced bar Keyboard player Steve Williams from their previous album "Master of Illusion". Well whatever happened worked. This album full out smokes and it really surprised me. The album opens up with an intro but for once is actually worth listening to. As it is a 2 minute display of heavy power metal riffing and amazing guitar solo's off Andy Midgley and Gavin Owen. The song gets you pumped up for the true opener " Rising Anew" which has everything a power metal fan loves about the genre. Furious double kicking, catchy, fast guitar riffs and one very catchy chorus.
Continuing on the band keep it going with the song "Glorious" which fits with in the same mold as the previous song. Not that is a bad thing at all as the band have showcased that they can kick ass with uplifting fast power metal for a good 11 minutes by this point. The production is very slick and smooth, you can hear everything that is going on. The guitar tone is very modern and fits for the albums mix of fast power metal and more melodic numbers.
However the album is not all about the blazing double kicking power metal. The album is split up with more melodic numbers with a slight injection of AOR. The very mature "Sacrifice" which may be a little bit cheesy for a lot of people. But if you have spent your time listening to a lot of obscure power metal this should not be a problem. The song showcases a very mature sound and I actually believe this band have the potential to be very popular with an older audience if they hear them, even just for the song "Sacrifice" alone.
Vocalist Chity Somapala rises up and kicks a lot of ass on this record. His voice mostly sticking to a mid range but is silky smooth and fits in with the overall sound of the record very well. His voice and lyrics are quiet catchy and will stick in your head.
Moving on with "Survive" which is another up tempo song, but also showcases the band's slight progressive touches with various tempo changes to more melodic riffs. The song showcases some of the most catchy guitar lines and solos. The melody at 4:45 after one of the most smoking solo's on the album been a highlight of the album for me. Which then goes into the rather glorious chorus after. I really can't express how well constructed each arrangement is. This is surely THE only British power metal album that is giving the European's a run for their money.
The keyboards are used to great effect on this album. Not really always shredding in a song like a lot of power metal. But however I have to say the opening of "Better Days" which is one of the more melodic numbers. Is even too cheesy for me. The begging keyboard use at the start of the song sounds like something from a cheesy 80's pop song almost, oh well moving on. The song itself has one of the most triumphant and uplifting guitar melody's I have heard in a while, which comes in at 4:21 of the song.
Crunching The Numbers opens up with a building intro which leads into a superb riff. With tremolo accents on the end of the riff, which as a guitar player I find my jaw open up all the time at the amount of awesome on display. It sounds like a Dragonforce riff done by guitar players that take themselves seriously. The song then carries on into a more faster mid paced song. Sporting some quiet heavy riffs in places and the lyrics are actually quiet relevant to our times in this country and the world itself. (The economy, unemployment etc.) However I will say i think the chorus is not as catchy as previous numbers on the album. The song's midsection is the best part of the song. Kicking into one of the heavier riffs on the album and possibly the highest wail from the singer over it. It then proceeds to carry on into almost progressive territory, carrying on into a great melodic solo trade off between keyboard and guitars.
Only In My Dreams starts off with another cheesy keyboard intro. Ultimately that is what stops this album from getting a 100% the moments of cheese for me are okay but for other listeners it may be to much. However the album is not full on plagued by moments like that. The song is easily the most melodic on the album.
Been expecting the Ballard of the album to come up and spoil the fun?? So was I on first listen thankfully that does not happen! The band go into the epic title track which is 9 minutes long and then City of Lies. Which sports a great melody in the intro section.
I urge any power metal fan to check this album out. It is quiet possibly going to be power metal album of the year. If you where not impressed by any of this bands previous material I urge you to check it out, its in a whole new league.
Ultra catchy fast and melodic power metal. Coupled with that oh so smooth and slick modern production. Extremely well played guitar leads and epic, long arrangements. Like the sound of that?? Then get this you will never look back.
/C
No comments:
Post a Comment