Power Quest
Master Of Illusion (2008)
Band
- Alessio Garavello - vocals
- Steve Williams - keyboards
- Andrea Martongelli - guitars, backing vocals
- Bill Hudson - guitars
- Francesco Tresca - drums
- Steve Scott - bass guitar
Overview
UK power metal band Power Quest was born after the band DragonHeart split, with reigning power metal kings Dragonforce being the other band to rise from the ashes. There are similarities between the two bands, both solidly in the power metal genre, but there are some significant differences as well. The biggest difference is that Power Quest is a more keyboard-oriented band, while Dragonforce is more guitar-oriented. Also, Power Quest is molded after European melodic metal of the 80's, while Dragonforce has an updated, neo-classical approach.
Songs
- "Cemetary Gates" is a great opening song. It's a face-paced, fairly straight-forward metal song with a keyboard riff that pays homage to Kevin Moore's Images and Words keyboard sound. This is Power Quest's weakness. The keyboard sound and simple song structure are rehashes of late 80's to early 90's prog metal. This is the era when Queensryche and Fates Warning, among others, were producing very commercial, less ground-breaking material. The chorus is very catchy though, and this song has found its way onto my current power metal mix.
- "Human Machine" is again dominated by a keyboard riff. The problem is, the riff isn't very catchy. I really liked European bands like Pretty Maids and Europe who used keyboard riffs as hooks in the 80's, but that's not what is going on here. The keyboard riff is used as a rhythm track, but it is so dominate in the mix, it makes the song sound soft. The keyboards are just too overbearing.
- "Civilised" has that same Images And Words keyboard sound. Steve Williams has chops for days, and he is a co-founder, but the keyboards are just too intrusive. Maybe the fault lies in the mix. Whatever the case, it is
- "Kings Of Eternity" is what I've been waiting for. There is some nice guitar riffage, the keyboard is tasteful and complimentary to the rest of the track, and there is a nice vocal hook. I wouldn't say that AlessioGaravello is a powerful vocalist, but he does have good control and comes up with some catchy vocal lines.
- "Master Of Illusion," as the title track, needs to pack a punch, and it does. The keyboards on this track blend with the rest of the band a lot better here. The synthesizer sounds give added layers of depth to the song as well. Now, this is the kind of keyboards I like to hear in a melodic metal band.
- "The Vigil" is an interesting track. I mentioned Pretty Maids earlier in this review. I will return to that band now, because Allesio does his best Ronnie Atkins impersonation on this track. He alternates between higher, melodic vocals and a lower growl throughout the song. The problem is, he isn't as convincing as Ronnie. Musically, the song is another straight-forward, melodic metal song. There's a nice double drum work up to a catchy chorus.
- "Save The World" slows things down and has some nice guitar leads. It's not a ballad, exactly, but it does have a moody vibe and is a nice change of pace for the album
- "Hearts And Vocies" is a melodic rock track. I'm not a big fan of melodic rock, so I would probably skip this one more times than not. It's a mid-paced rock song with a decent chorus.
- "I Don't Believe In Friends Forever" is a real disappointment. Musically, it's a great track with some interesting drumming and a nice opening guitar passage. The problem begins with the vocals. It's almost like Allesio is singing to a different instrumental track. The lyrics are also pretty horrible.
- "Never Again" is the album closer. There should have been five more of these. It's a face-paced song with some nice vocal harmonies. While the Images And Words keyboards are back, they are more restrained. This is a great road song and a good closer for the album.
Lyrics
I was struck with how positive and happy the lyrics are. They are definitely in the "Happy Helloween" camp when it comes to lyrical influence. I really like the fantasy imagery throughout the album, and the struggle between good and evil is explored on several tracks. The only lame song on the album lyrically is "I Don't Believe In Friends Forever."
Conclusion
I was struck with how positive and happy the lyrics are. They are definitely in the "Happy Helloween" camp when it comes to lyrical influence. I really like the fantasy imagery throughout the album, and the struggle between good and evil is explored on several tracks. The only lame song on the album lyrically is "I Don't Believe In Friends Forever."
Conclusion
If you love keyboards, this is the album for you. While there are some good moments on this album, I was largely disappointed in Master of Illusions as a whole. I can't help but feel that this band is capable of more than just rehashing 80's melodic metal. As I listen to the album, I keep flashing back to Pretty Maids, Fifth Angel, and Vicious Rumors with Dream Theater keyboards. While Dragonforce brought power metal into the 21st century, Power Quest is stuck firmly in the late 80's. While there was some great music made during that period, I still have those albums on my shelf. I want to hear something new.
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Demon Hunter
Storm The Gates Of Hell (2007)
Band
- Ryan Clark – Vocals
- Jon Dunn – Bass Guitar
- Don Clark – Rhythm Guitar
- Ethan Luck – Lead Guitar Backing Vocals
- Timothy "Yogi" Watts – Drums
While I am a power and prog metal warrior, there comes a time when an album from another genre deserves some respect, especially when it embraces the warrior spirit. This review is for all of the hunters out there. We are brothers in arms!
Overview
Demon Hunter is a melodic metalcore band with thrash and classic metal influences. Storm the Gates of Hell is their fourth and best album.
Featured Songs
- "Storm The Gates Of Hell" is like a blast from a cannon. Blastbeat drumming propels this trash workout, and Ryan Clark's growling vocals spit out some great battle lyrics. This song will make you want to slay demons.
- "Lead Us Home" keeps the momentum going. Yogi is a beast on the drumkit. There is a great chorus that has a real power metal feel to it. The "clean" vocals on this CD are among the best the band has recorded.
- "Sixteen" is my personal favorite song on the album. First, strings and metal are meant for each other, and strings play a prominent role in the intro, chorus, and bridge of the song, giving it an epic feel. There is also a ridiculously heavy breakdown made for the mosh pit. The song shifts from thrash, to hardcore, to cinematic, all in 5 minutes. Plus, there are guest vocals by legendary vocalist Bruce Fitzhugh of Living Sacrifice.
- "I Am You" is probably the catchiest song on the album. This is a song that should appeal to all fans of melodic metal. There is still growls and tuned down guitars, but the vocal hooks in the song are undeniable.
- "The Wrath of God" explodes out of the speakers. It's brutal which appeals to the warrior in me, but the band uses melody in a way that appeals to thepower metal side of me as well.
Lyrics
If anything, Demon Hunter continues to explore the warrior heart even deeper on this album. Each song examines the battle we face against Satan and his kingdom. There is encouragement for every warrior and hunter to remain resolute in service to the true King.Conclusion
This album is not for everybody that reads this blog. It is not power or prog, but it does have incredible melodic moments and interesting song structures that go beyond verse, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus.
Post Script
I met Yogi Watts when he was drummer in the 90's band Rocketboy (R.E.X. Records). Our bands played together on a bill, and we were unsigned. He was cool and hung out with us. We met up again at a P.O.D. show in the late 90's (when they were still indie), and we watched the show together. A lot of musicians in signed bands become unapproachable, but Yogi is a true warrior. It's good to see him live out the dream as a professional musician in a successful band.
Post Script
I met Yogi Watts when he was drummer in the 90's band Rocketboy (R.E.X. Records). Our bands played together on a bill, and we were unsigned. He was cool and hung out with us. We met up again at a P.O.D. show in the late 90's (when they were still indie), and we watched the show together. A lot of musicians in signed bands become unapproachable, but Yogi is a true warrior. It's good to see him live out the dream as a professional musician in a successful band.
4 Swords Up (out of 5)!
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Alestorm
3 Swords Up (out of 5)!
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Alestorm
Leviathan EP (2009)
Band
- Christopher Bowes - Vocals and Keyboards
- Dani Evans - Guitars
- Gareth Murdock - Bass
- Ian Wilson - Drums
Overview
Alestorm is pirate metal. This EP contains power metal songs about pirates, quests, drinking ale, a mythical beast and women. This EP follows their debut album, Captain Morgan's Revenge, which was also had power metal songs about pirates quests, drinking, mythical beasts, and women. Get the picture?
Songs
- "Leviathan" begins with the sound of the sea, followed by fast-paced metal riffing by Bowes and Evans. Whereas the keyboards on the Power Quest album, reviewed above, were overbearing, the mix between instruments here is perfect. All of the string and folk instrument sounds are provided by keyboards and create an epic atmosphere for the tale of a ship and its crew's encounter with the mighty leviathan. The pirtate gang vocals before the guitar and keyboard solos are inspired.
- "Wolves Of The Sea" is a cover song, originally by, appropriately enough, The Pirates of the Sea. The song was a Eurovision Song Contest entry in 2008. This song has even better gang vocals. It is my firm belief that every pirate metal song should have gang vocals. Speaking of vocals, Bowes never breaks character vocally as a pirate. While it limits his range, who cares. This is pirate metal!
- "Weiber Und Wein" is a German translation of the band's featured song, "Wenches And Mead," from their full-length. This song is your basic pub sing-along on steroids. And sung in German. Awesome.
- "Heavy Metal Pirates" is a recent single by the band. I believe this song goes back to their Battleheart days, and it's a great novelty song, but it's not among the band's best. Still, it's pirate metal!
Lyrics
Listening to Alestorm is the musical equivalent of watching Pirates of the Caribean or reading Treasure Island. In other words, it's a lot of fun. They are definitely using parody, but the music is so good, they don't feel like a novelty act (except on "Heavy Metal Pirates"). If you can't draw the line between fiction and reality, Alestorm is not for you. You will miss out on one of the few bands in power metal that write really interesting narrative lyrics though. Many bands try, but Alestorm succeeds in enteraining lyrically as well as musically and stylistically.
Conclusion
Leviathan is a continuation of their full-length, Captain Morgan's Revenge. If you like metal, and you wish you were a pirate sailing the seas in the 18th century, you couldn't ask for a more perfect soundtrack. The only negative is that, while the music is epic and suits the storylines of the songs, the riffs and solos are a little generic. Unfortunately, you only get two new tracks on the EP. I would suggest that you just download, legally, the two new songs if you already have the "Heavy Metal Pirates" single or you speak German (or wish you did).
Listening to Alestorm is the musical equivalent of watching Pirates of the Caribean or reading Treasure Island. In other words, it's a lot of fun. They are definitely using parody, but the music is so good, they don't feel like a novelty act (except on "Heavy Metal Pirates"). If you can't draw the line between fiction and reality, Alestorm is not for you. You will miss out on one of the few bands in power metal that write really interesting narrative lyrics though. Many bands try, but Alestorm succeeds in enteraining lyrically as well as musically and stylistically.
Conclusion
Leviathan is a continuation of their full-length, Captain Morgan's Revenge. If you like metal, and you wish you were a pirate sailing the seas in the 18th century, you couldn't ask for a more perfect soundtrack. The only negative is that, while the music is epic and suits the storylines of the songs, the riffs and solos are a little generic. Unfortunately, you only get two new tracks on the EP. I would suggest that you just download, legally, the two new songs if you already have the "Heavy Metal Pirates" single or you speak German (or wish you did).
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