Power Quest - Master Of Illusion (2008)

Tracklist:
01. Cemetery Gates
02. Human Machine
03. Civilised?
04. Kings Of Eternity
05. Master Of Illusion
06. The Vigil
07. Save The World
08. Hearts And Voices
09. I Don't Believe In Friends Forever
10. Never Again

Country: Great Britain
Genre: Power metal
Label: Napalm Records
Released: March 26:th, 2008
Website: http://www.power-quest.co.uk

Line-up:
Alessio Garavello - vocals, rhythm guitars
Andrea Martongelli - lead guitars
Steve Scott - bass
Steve Williams - keyboards
Francesco Tresca - drums

I am twenty-seven years old.

What, you may ask yourself, does this have to do with Power Quest and their brand-spankin' new album Master Of Illusion? It has everything to do with it. Let me explain: I feel that I have come to a stage of maturity in my life where I can actually tell what I want from life and what I am ready to give in return. As an adult human being, what I want most in life is this: Happiness. A sense of detachment from life. A place to breathe. Somewhere I can escape to, if only for a short while, and experience nothing but bliss.

This is where Power Quest enter. For those of you familiar with my reviews of their earlier albums Neverworld (2004) and Magic Never Dies (2005) you should know that I consider the band one of my top-five bands, any category, anytime. Like few other bands, these guys manage to deliver one catchy tune after another, whilst sacrificing nothing whatsoever in terms of musicianship or diversity. You see, Power Quest do not simply stick to any one kind of music. The basis is melodic metal, but they switch from up-tempo to mid-tempo to ballad so effortlessly you'd think they have done nothing in their lives but this. There is a strong sense of diversity in all their albums, with the debut perhaps constituting an exception (which doesn't mean it's not good). And Steve Williams's divine abilities in the catchy-songwriting-department are so good it's almost ridiculous.

Anyway, I digress. The point I'm trying to make here is that you know what you get with Power Quest, but only in that you know you'll get quality. Their newest offering Master Of Illusion is a prime example of that. Two things are clear right from the start: They've become heavier (not that strange, since frontman Alessio Garavello's started playing rhythm guitar), and they've slowed down in tempo somewhat. Not to worry, however: The double bass is there, yet it is used sparingly and more wisely than before. This is something that really did not sink in with me until after a few spins. What they've done, though, is incorporate more changes in tempo within songs ("The Vigil" being a fine example). You still have "regular" up-tempo tracks like "Kings Of Eternity" and "Never Again" (the former of which boasts a chorus larger than life, somewhere between "Galaxies Unknown" and "Strike Force"), so don't worry. If there is one complaint (which really would be nit-picking, by the way) I've had in the past it would be the fact that the rhythm guitars could stand to get somewhat crunchier. Presto! Ten seconds into opening track "Cemetery Gates" you're just know that this is an improvement for the band. I'd not go so far as to call the guitars "aggressive", but they're definitely heavier and more to the forefront. After all, this is rock 'n roll, so this evolution is definitely for the better.

I'm not going to go over each track this time, but I've just got to give a special mention to one song. Before even hearing the new album, I'd been going over the songs in my head, trying to figure out what kind of tunes they'd be, just by reading the titles. I had "Save The World" pegged down as an up-tempo track, which it is not. It is something that really does not need such worldly descriptions as "up-tempo" or "mid-tempo." Instead, it is something out of this world, a creation so glorious and beautiful that, along with "Kings Of Eternity" and "The Vigil", it has to be one of my favorites. The key change at the end of this song gives me goosebumps.

The best part of this album, though, lies in the fact that it gives me something new each time. I still haven't figured it out completely, and I hope I never do. This is an album I want to go back to, again and again. From me, there can be no higher praise. The five members of Power Quest have created a whole that fills that quota of happiness I spouted off about at the start of this review. I can wander off to my breathing place now, carrying with me Alessio's voice, Andrea's guitar, Steve S's bass-lines, Steve W's keyboard licks and Francesco's incredible drumming. They did it again, folks.

(Originally written sometime in 2008 [I reckon]).

Power Quest - Blood Alliance (2011)

Tracklist:
01. Battle Stations
02. Rising Anew
03. Glorious
04. Sacrifice
05. Survive
06. Better Days
07. Crunching The Numbers
08. Only In My Dreams
09. Blood Alliance
10. City Of Lies
11. Time To Burn (Japanese bonus track)

Country: Great Britain
Genre: Power metal
Label: Napalm Records
Released: March 25:th 2011
Website: http://www.power-quest.co.uk

Line-up:
Chitral "Chity" Somapala - vocals
Andy Midgley - guitars
Gav Owen - guitars
Paul Finnie - bass
Steve Williams - keyboards
Rich Smith - drums

Life is a quest. Along the way you will face adversities; that is a universal guarantee. People deal differently with the hardships coming their way, but for many, a solace can be found in music. To me, that has rung all too true all my life, and especially when it comes to the sub-genre known as power metal. One of the bands I have been an admirer of for quite a while now is the British troupe Power Quest. The band used to be pretty multi-cultural at one point, featuring more Italians than, well, Italy (almost), but as fate would have it, most of the members left the band in 2009. One who remained steadfast, however, was band founder and principal songwriter Steve Williams, who decided that the Quest indeed had to go on. He recruited new members, penned some of the catchiest songs this side of Helloween‘s Keeper Of The Seven Keys, part II or the band’s own magnum opus (as far as I’m concerned), 2005′s Magic Never Dies.

To say that I was eager to get my scrubby little mittens on this jewel would be the understatement of the year. I have no problem admitting that I’m a fanboy, but there is also the fact that I believe that people who put out quality music deserve honesty. Would I be able to review an album from one of my favorite bands if I felt the material to be sub-par? While I don’t believe Power Quest have ever released anything bad, I was left a little underwhelmed by 2008′s Master Of Illusion. Sure, there were gems here and there, but as a whole, it didn’t click for me in the way the aforementioned Magic Never Dies had, or the first two albums for that matter.

I need not have worried, however. It can be said upfront: Blood Alliance ranks right up there alongside Magic Never Dies, and it represents a rejuvenation of a band some may have counted out at this point (the gloriously catchy opener ”Rising Anew” lyrically alludes to this). First of all, this record has the best production, bar none, of any Power Quest album, ever. The overall sound picture is rich and full, the guitars sound chunky in that meaty way that is an absolute must in order to bring some balls to the walls, and the bass emits thumping pulses of epic win and the drums envelop it all in rolling blasts of rhythm ownage that completes the package. Ok, one must not forget the keyboards. Even though it is pretty obvious the creator of these songs is a keyboarder, he is a wise enough songwriter never to let any instrument get in the way of the tune. Every solo here has its place, whether it be of guitar origin or synth.

Oh, and the songs themselves. Forgive me for being longwinded, but each and everyone deserves a mention. ”Battle Stations”, the instrumental opening track is a decidedly more guitar oriented affair than the previously more orchestral intros we’re used to. It kicks ass and takes no prisoners. The new guitarists duel as if their axes were on fire and raise the bar pretty high for what’s to come. But have no fear, we’re in for a smorgasbord of melodic metal treats. The aforementioned ”Rising Anew” and first song proper is a galloping power metal treat that could only have been penned my Mr. Williams. The verses, bridge and chorus are so ridiculously catchy in their up-tempo pomp you cannot help but grin. New vocalist Chitral ”Chity” Somapala (Firewind, Avalon) feels so natural in his delivery one can only marvel at the fact that this is his first outing with the band. He has a warm voice with a wonderful vibrato and lends believability to the line ”For you my friends we carry on …” (a nice nod towards the fans and goosebump inducing moment for sure). ”Glorious” is just that. Starting off relatively fast, it slows down for the chorus, which comes as a surprise, but works very well. Lyrically, this is a tune that seeks to comfort (”Over rainbows and stars/you can be sure I’ll be there/When you’re feeling alone/These are the words that will lift up your heart…”). ”Sacrifice” offers the first of many homages to the 80′s. Power Quest have always offered a healthy mix of up-tempo power metal songs and more 1980′s like mid-tempo stadium anthems. This one features a chorus that comes straight out of the ”HOW-TO-PEN-A-SONG-THAT-WILL-HAVE-FANS-SINGING-ALONG-IN-NO-TIME-BOOK”.) You will eat this right up if you’ve ever heard one Van Halen song and liked it. ”Survive” comes next, and blazes along the same trails as ”Sacred Land” (off Neverworld) or ”Strike Force” (Magic Never Dies). The pre-chorus is liquid pride injected into veins long ago dulled by time and circumstance. This is also a prime example of when a keyboard is an absolute must.

”Better Days” is another anthemic mid-tempo affair in the vein of ”Sacrifice”. While that song is great, this is even better. The verses, well I don’t know how to describe it, but they slay. ”Crunching The Numbers” is new Quest territory. This song comes off as quite progressive and features some of the hardest riffs in the band history. Being my least favorite song, it has nonetheless grown on me immensely, and I commend the band for daring to branch out in different directions. Lyrically, this tune deals with the recent economic crisis and its effect on the small man. ”Only In My Dreams” is a ballad without being a ballad. The verses have a distinct 80′s feel to them, at times reminding me of Europe. I get the feeling this song is a love letter (”Hold me now/And stay forever/Till the sky comes crashing down”). Around 04:25 Chity croons in such a way that even the most hardened cynics (myself included) cannot help but get goosebumps … again. The title track and ”mini epic” is a mid-tempo song of many faces. Originally disappointed by the lack of speed in this tune, it has since come to dawn on me exactly why the opposite serves the song better. Again, believability in the way Chity sings (”We are so innocent/We call for mercy/We are the ones who will remain/Unheard of”), is the key. The song also features a distinctly Van Halen-esque keyboard riff that lightens things up a bit. Finally we have ”City Of Lies”, a song that thematically seems to link to ”Neverworld (Power Quest part II)” off Neverworld. Toward the end of the former song, the piano outro of the latter makes an appearance, coated in a distinct vinyl crackle that fills me with connotations I have yet to explore fully. (”Nowhere to hide/In the city of lies/No one to turn to/Life’s on the line.”) Thus a connection has been established between this album and the band’s prior work, a red thread that ties together, but also points out what’s different this time around.

I realize I’ve been going on here, which is ironic, as the songs on Blood Alliance never overstay their welcome, despite being rather lengthy. This just goes to show that when you have a captain who’s earned his stripes on board, you can rest assured the trip’s going to be smooth. That’s not saying there is not food for thought here – on the contrary – just that it’s all coated in a ‘pride-in-the-profession’ thing that’ll leave you thankful there still are bands like these around. Okay, so maybe I would have liked some more speed toward the end of the album, but even that is a minor complaint and not really an issue anymore. Other than that, I would just like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the band for enriching my life in so many ways, and for bringing the words and tunes that lift up my heart and put a smile on my face when I’m down.

Power Quest – I salute you. Forever may the Quest go on!

(originally published on cronopio.se February 17:th, 2011)

Power Quest - Magic Never Dies (2005)

Tracklist:
01. Ascension
02. Find My Heaven
03. Galaxies Unknown
04. Hold On To Love
05. Diamond Sky
06. The Message
07. Soulfire
08. Children Of The Dream
09. Strike Force
10. Another World
11. Magic Never Dies
12. The Longest Night (Japanese bonus)

Country: Great Britain
Genre: Power metal/hard rock
Label: Majestic Rock
Release date: July 4:th, 2005
Website: http://www.power-quest.co.uk

Line-up:
Alessio Garavello - vocals
Andrea Martongelli - guitars
Steve Scott - bass
Steve Williams - keyboards
Francesco Tresca - drums

It is said that lightning never strikes the same place twice. I disagree. Actually, it might have struck the same place thrice, as far as I'm concerned. If you read my review for last year's Neverworld, you should know I was pretty damn excited with that release, and in hindsight I may have overscored it a little (10/10). It's not that it doesn't deserve the full score, it does, because it is a brilliant album, but then the new opus Magic Never Dies must be awarded at least 15/10, because it blows Neverworld and everything the guys've done so far out of the water! The albums is truly that amazing, and comes as close to perfection as I could ever wish. It's amazing really. How the bloody hell do they do it? It's like they've taken everything that was great about Neverworld and increased it tenfold. The productions is stronger, clearer, punchier. Muscially, main songwriter, keyboardist and band founder Steve Williams has improved his already excellent songwriting skills and abilities to pen catchy hardrocking AOR tunes reminiscent of the 80's, as well as traditional high-speed double-bass galloping power metal hymns. Steve Scott's basslines are thicker and groovier, as well as more accentuated than ever before. I want to be able to hear the bass in a metal record, which is exactly what I'm doing here. Andrea Martongelli is an excellent guitarist, as usual, shining especially in the lead and solo parts. Alessio Garavello has obviously really worked on his voice, and this may well be his strongest performance to date. New drummer boy Francesco Tresca is a real find, and I hope the drummer issue will be a thing of the past for the band now.

As for consistency, not one song on the new album is out of place or makes you want to hit the skip button. And the magic truly works both ways - you can either enjoy the songs as a whole, in which case you have a consistent and strong record, or you could pick them out one by one, in which case they also work. The balance between old and new, fast and slow, melodic, groovy, metal and hard rock is simply nearly too much for a poor soul like me to bear.

I'm going to go over the songs one by one, mainly because I owe it to them. To them and to the guys for writing music that make me want to run around the city, hair blowing in the wind, pumping my fist in the air, once again understanding what it is about this music that so touches my heart; that makes me want to live my life to the fullest of my potentials, that makes me believe there IS a God, and that he is moving within me. Without further ado ...

"Ascension"
Probably the most bombastic intro ever to grace a heavy metal disc. You just gotta love those snaredrums! Makes your blood boil in awe of what's to come. Truly worthy of its name.

"Find My Heaven"
Sweet familiar Power Quest territory covered in this excellent uptempo opener, with a chorus so accessible you'll be singing along with it before it's over. Pay attention to the lyrics as well. Will I really find what I long for in this life? No knights or dragons whatsoever here ...

"Galaxies Unknown"
My personal absolute favourite song off the album, although every tune holds that special magic for me, and it's almost impossible to choose. This song has made me indebted to the PQ guys for the rest of my life. I believe the word I'm looking for is gratitude. Embodying all that is good in speedy melodic metal, "Galaxies Unknown" features one of the most uplifting choruses I've heard in any song, ever, as well as almost superhuman drumming from new sticksman Francesco Tresca. That guy's a monster!

"Hold On To Love"
A very tender and beautiful midtempo song about, well, holding on to what makes you endure in life. Musically moving in AOR territory, with some very tasteful keyboards reminiscent of those employed in "Edge Of Time" from Neverworld. The chorus is catchy and sad at the same time, which is something only this band can do.

"Diamond Sky"
A short and sweet uptempo power metal tune, penned by Alessio and Andrea, which is a nice surprise. These guys really should write more tunes, if they're as good as this once. I'm afraid I'm starting to repeat myself here, but the bridge and chorus are so catchy you'd have filled three normal melodic metal releases by other bands by now, but it's all good. Kudos, dudes!

"The Message"
The (obligatory) ballad, clocking in at over six minutes, and never a boring second. It's heartwrenchingly beautiful in a way that I thought only "When I'm Gone" could be, but I was proven wrong. Yet the message (no pun intended) within this tune is such an empowering one, the song work on so many more levels than one. Listen and find out for yourself. You'll be better off for it.

"Soulfire"
Yet another uptempo song (thank you very much!), and a blisteringly powerful one to boot. Adding a touch of progressiveness and a lot of chunky guitar riffs, this song comes across as maybe the most aggressive PQ tune to date. There is a tempo and a will to rock your socks off in this song that you'll be able to feel.

"Children Of The Dream"
We're back in hard rock AOR land with this tune, which may very well become yet another live favourite, sandwiched in between the faster songs. The keyboards just scream 1984 and sundrenched beaches, whereas the lyrics move in those areas into which one ventures late at night, or at the end of a special period of your life, thinking back, wondering what may have been different, and did I really live my life to the fullest? Yeah, if you played this song over and over again, I'd say you did!

"Strike Force"
Damn! How the hell do they do it??? It's inhuman, it's impossible. Yeah, it's a fast power metal song, but it's brilliantly written, produced, and orchestrated. The band takes the time to let it evolve, which becomes very clear when listening to the instrumental introduction. Any other band could have blasted right along, but Power Quest builds the up the tension well with some very majestic pipe organs before the double-bass kicks in, and this where I'd say the band has 'matured', if one dares use such a word. Yeah, you might even say they'd tried to incorporate some progressiveness into the songs, even though we're naturally not talking progressive as in Dream Theater progressive. Anyways, along with "Galaxies Unknown", this song may very well be my personal favourite off MND.

"Another World"
Speaking of progressiveness ... "Another World" is the longest song on the album, and the one that took the longest for me to get into, which doesn't mean it's bad. On the contrary. This is where what makes the album dynamic. Kind of like "Lost Without You." Lots of different parts within the song to enjoy, all coming together in the end to form a coherent whole. You have been warned ...

"Magic Never Dies"
Lastly, the title track. What is there to say? A perfect closer, worthy of summing up a great album. Go back to your memories, rememeber that whatever happens, you were there, and therefore, magic never dies. Speed and passion are the keywords for this songs, which has the feelings of a true epic.

"The Longest Night" (bonus track)
For once, you'd do well to spend the extra cash and get the Japanese version. This song was actually written by Clive Nolan, but fits so well into the Power Quest 'concept' you'd think it was written by the man (Steve) himself. I understand that songs like these are representative of what people like to call 'happy metal', but I happen to like happy metal, so I'll just savour it and enjoy what is, quite simply, a brilliant bonus track.

So that's it. Or is it? Not really. There's a bonus DVD for the European version as well. And you're in for a treat, as the disc shows the band in the studio, goofing around and having a damn good time, which is what this kind of music's all about in the first place. There's some really fucked up sections with a plastic toy character that looks like it's had one too many pints (or is it Andrea?), wobbling along in front of an amplifier, while some seriously deranged voiceovers accompany the debauchery (or is it Andrea ... yet again?) There are also shitloads of photos and slideshows of the band and the recording process. Truly, you get the feeling that the band wanted to give the fans something extra, and this is it. Go get both versions if you can. As far as I know, the European version will be a digipak one, catering for that extra luxury you so well deserve. Treat yourself to Power Quest; one of the best bands in the world, any category.

(originally published on Mostly Metal Reviews July 29:th, 2007)