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Power Quest - Wings Of Forever


*
=Staff's pick

Prelude To Destiny (intro)
Wings Of Forever
Far Away*
Glory Tonight*
Power Quest*
Beyond The Stars*
Immortal Plains
Follow Your Heart
Freedom Of Thought*
Distant Lands (outro)


Genre Power Metal
Alessio Garavello
Vocals
Tracks 10
Adam Bickers
Guitar
Runningtime 52 Min.
Sam Totman
Guitar
Label Underground Symphony
Steve Scott
Bass
Release 14 Oct. 2002
-
Drums
Country England
Steve Williams
Keyboards
Similar artists Freedom Call, Dragonforce, Celesty

Power Quest, hailing from England, is one out of just a few bands from that area that are playing metal in a true power metal style, consisting of fast paced drums, an abundance of melodies/harmonies and strong singalong refrains. Last year they released a very promising demo with 2 really good songs, and recently they released this fullenght album on their new label Underground Symphony who have signed alot of new, good bands lately.

One of Power Quest's fellow countrybands - Dragonforce - once answered the question why they play so fast, with :"That is the kind of songs we like the best. Most powermetal albums use to start with a fast song, but than usually a long row of midtemposongs follow. And there's no "power" in that, so how can you call that "power" metal? Midtempo is just boring!" I can imagine that that's just about how the guys in Power Quest reason too....and I not a person to oppose if they want to play fast, cause I am of the exact same opinion myself.

This album is filled with fast, melodic songs that surely will please fans of for example Freedom Call and above mentioned Dragonforce. The ingredients that make a really good metal albums are all there: Strong melodies, choruses to die for, very good riffs and keyboards that really makes the difference. I dare calling keyboardist Steve Williams the mastermind of the band, since he has written most of both music and lyrics on the album, and he is really a master of his profession. His sense for melodies and arrangements are amazing and provides the foundation on which Power Quest are able to build good, "makes-you-feel-good" power metal.

The guitars are very good, and all songs are filled with swirling solos, keyboard/leadguitar duels, and the reason to what makes this good - the sense for well composed - sometimes majestic - melodies that makes you whistle along already by the time of the second bridge. What I like a bit less is the vocals, but not because I think they are badly performed, but since I personally don't think that Garavello manages to bring into the songs what they deserve - a more powerful voice would do this kind of music way better. Sometimes I think that he slips a bit on the absolutely highest notes, but there are few singers that can pleed not guilty on that charge - it's just that he doesn't provide that powerful touch to the songs that I feel they could benefit from.

Songs that stand out are Far Away and Glory Tonight, and despite what I have said earlier about speed I have to say one of the song I like best on this album is Power Quest which is among the slowest and can almost be placed in the category "midtempo". It's a very good song, which makes me curious on what their future songs in that style will sound like - cause I crave more! Freedom Of Thought is another one that is not of the fastest pace, but nevertheless is really good.

The production is above average and fully satisfying, but while listening I can't help to constantly think how much better this would have sounded with a fatter sound on the drums, and a top-notch vocal performance. That is basically the things that holds the back the final chalises to be handed out. As I know by experience that a debutalbum is not to be too hard judged in those areas, I dare to promise that things can only get better from here and coming releases from this band will be very interesting to hear, as this can go very far in a near future.

See also review of: Magic Never Dies , Neverworld , Promo 2001

Production
Vocals
Compositions

7

6

8,5

 
Summary



8 chalices of 10 - Tommy

Related links:

www.power-quest.co.uk