Artist: Heavenly 
   Title: Virus
   Label: AFM Records

Originally formed by current vocalist Ben Sotto and former drummer Maxence Pilo, the Paris based Heavenly have seen band members come and go in their 13 year history.  However, the band have not let these changes in formation deter them from bringing their own spin the whole Power Metal genre, with the frontman Sotto being the main force behind the band with his impeccable vocal range that was made for the genre.  The band is set to return to the throng with their fourth and finest release to date ‘Virus’.

The album opens up with ‘The Dark Memories’ and from the off the shear power of Sotto's vocals shines through the pounding rhythm section and the riff spewn guitars, on what is a fantastic opener and one that reminds me very much of Helloween in its initial concept.

Things take a more intense metal feel with ‘Spill Blood On Fire’, with the dominant factor on this track being the fantastic metal harmonies of Sotto backed up to the hilt by rest of the band.  The title track ‘Virus’ follows and what a belter!  The thumping drum beat and the almost choral chorus led by the Halford/Mustane like power vocals of Sotto and with Charley Corbiaux and Olivier Lapauze shredding like the end of the world was immanent, go to make this one of my favourites off the album.

This full on metal approach continues with the aptly titled ‘The Power & Fury’ as that’s exactly what you get.  As the track opens up with a double kick frenzy interwoven with some excellent keyboards, then the guitars take over on this metal fest.

After the full metal frenzy of the last track things slow down just a touch, and I mean just a touch with the excellent ‘Wasted Time’.  Another anthemic metal explosion with the guitars of Corbiaux and Lapauze shining through once again on this true Power Metal experience.

Next the band bring in a little neo-classical metal to the throng with ‘Bravery In The Field’, before unleashing the full on power of drummer Thomas das Neves as he pounds out the massive thunderous tones on ‘Liberty’.  Backed by the twin guitar assault on this track, this is just fantastic, with once again by the magnificent towering vocals of Sotto adding texture and richness to the song.

‘When The Rain Begins To Fall’ is a more heavily keyboard structured track that still retains that Heavenly approach to the Power Metal genre with its heavy bass tones a pulsating drum beat and some amazing shredding guitar riffs.

Those same amazing spellbinding riffs are once again present on the album closer ‘The Prince of The World’.  This is were the musicianship of the band takes over with some fantastic changes in tone and pace, which make this overall my favourite song off the album and a great way to end what is in fact a superb return to form by the band.  One that will surely see the Virus infect the whole Power Metal world in 2007. 

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