Title: Sixth Dimension

Rockdector’s guide to Power Metal says "Power Quest – A Symphonic inclined Metal act in the Euro tradition, was born out of keyboard player Steve Williams departure from London based Power Metal act Dragonheart (later Dragonforce) in March 2001". 

A lot of water has passed since 2001, with member changes over the years and five stunning albums under their belt along the way.  It was a shock to all fans when on 10 January 2013 keyboardist Steve Williams announced the split-up of the band, citing financial reasons and lack of record label support.

After 3 years with Eden’s Curse, Williams announced that the Quest was far from over and like a Phoenix once more the Welsh wizard unleashed the band once again. 

The new line-up took shape and a  new EP 'Face the Raven' was released on 10 September 2016, but then on the eve of the bands appearance at Hammerfest this year, Steve announced the departure of the brothers Owen from the band and in stepped Andy Kopczyk of I AM I and Benjamin Ellis of Scar Symmetry as temporary replacements.  Kopczyk soon became a permanent member along with Triaxis guitarist Glyndwr Williams for the bands sixth studio release 'The Sixth Dimension', along with stalwart members Paul Finnie on bass and Rich Smith on drums and on the vocal front Ashley Edison. 

So the history lesson over, the album itself sees this formidable force deliver what is one of the finest examples of Melodic Power Metal you’ll hear this side of Christmas and beyond.

The band have gone back to their roots and their first two albums 'Wings of Forever' (2002) and 'Neverworld' (2003) and what better to bring that classic Power Quest sound back. than to have at the helm steering the ship from the production side, than original frontman Alessio Garavello, who I must say does a stunning job on the album.

The album gets underway with in true PQ style with the stunning ‘Lords of Tomorrow’. a rampaging slab of keyboards from the main man Williams gets this underway, with the now infamous powerhouse rhythm section of Smith and Finnie driving this one ever forward.  But these three don’t have all the fun, as the twin guitar assault that is Kopczky and G Williams show what they are made of, as they throw out the riffs like six string confetti, while Eddison delivers the perfect vocal for that classic PQ sound.

So opening barrage gets the MM seal of approval, so what about the other eight tracks?  Well what can I say, things continue with ‘Starlight City’, again a soaring mix of power and melody that has become the trademark of all the PQ albums, upon which Ellison is just outstanding.

Next up is the single ‘Kings and Glory’, another stunner as the band knock things up yet another gear, as the backbone of keys, drums and bass get this one underway, before all hell breaks loose as the rampaging guitars bring more heat that a solar flare, all capped by those wonderful vocals.

Next up is ‘Face the Raven’ taken from the EP of the same name.  This was the first taste of the new band line-up and is one track that got played numerous times by this reviewer.  I couldn’t believe that the band could come back with such a bang and this just make me even more thirsty for the new album, as I’m sure it did the bands legion of fans.

Next up is ‘No More Heroes’ where we go back the 'Neverworld' roots for this song.  This isn’t a rampaging, full throttle attack, this is just another weapon in the bands armory, their ability to deliver pure melodic Power infused Metal of the highest order.

There are many strings to the Power Quests bow and 'Revolution Fighters' shows off another.  This one starts off from a gentle refrain and just builds into a Metal monster, especially on the guitar front, as the twin guitars really light this one up.

The classic PQ sound is back with a bang with the stunning ‘Pray for the Day’ and the excellent ‘Coming Home’, where the Welsh wizard weaves his magic once more on the keyboards.

The album closes with the title track 'The Sixth Dimension' that starts with an almost eerie Exorcist vibe, this once was co-written by Steve Williams and Richard West (Threshold) and features guest vocalist Anette Olzon (ex. Nightwish).  This is a wonderful way to close a quite stunning album.  This song mixes all the ingredients that make Power Quest what they are and with Olzon an added bonus, as it shows that Williams was right, the Quest is far from over.

Review by: Barry McMinn

Tracklisting:

1.  Lords of Tomorrow
2.  Starlight City
3.  Kings And Glory
4.  Face The Raven
5.  No More Heroes
6.  Revolution Fighters
7.  Pray For The Day
8.  Coming Home
9.  The Sixth Dimension  

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