Artist: Incrave 
   Title: Dead End
   Label: Metal Heaven

Not one for judging a book by its cover I didn’t know what to expect from Incrave, especially after turning the promo copy of their latest album 'Dead End' and seeing six men in smart suits and ties and short hair.  But my fears were soon put to rest when I put the CD and the first track simply blew me away.

First a brief history of the band, the band started life in 2001 as Evergrace in their native Sweden and after many shows in their native homeland, the band started work on their debut album in 2006.  In February last year the band decided to change their name to Incrave and subsequently they decided in April of 2007 to re-release the album under this new moniker and change the title to 'The Escape'.

The band have once again returned to the studio for the follow up album ‘Dead End’ and although the average age of the band is only 22, this album has a maturity about it, in both the musicianship and the song writing, that is second to none in my opinion.

The album is proof that the band have mastered their craft from frontman Johan Falk to the rest of the band, Jon Bålefalk and David Ohlsson on guitars, Martin Davidsson on bass, Jonathan Stenberg on keys and completing the line-up Josef Davidsson on drums.

As things get underway with ‘Shattered’ the bands intention is clear for all to hear with their Power Metal sound.  The track builds from humble beginnings before shattering the silence with some monstrous riff building courtesy of Bålefalk and Ohlsson then it the immaculate vocals tones of Falk that really blow you away, this guy certainly has a set of pipes as he just caresses every note.

Things continue along a similar path with ‘The Forgotten’, as the track builds from the subtle guitars and keys then Falk really brings the track to life with some of the finest vocals you will hear this year.

This highly impressive album continues with ‘A Shadow In The Dark’, again it's high quality Power Metal all the way as the guitars take the lead, then it's those powerful magnificent pipes of Falk that pave the way for drums and bass to add might to this already massive track.

The pace and the heat of the album are turned up a couple of notches with the excellent 'The Touch Of Death’.  This one has that darker edge to it whilst still remaining true to the whole genre with it's pounding drums and thumping bass.

It’s more of that same pounding drums and tremendous bass line with ‘Unveil The Truth’ and again the outstanding feature of the track is Falk’s vocal presence throughout.  Then things slow down for the next one ‘Shades Of Me’ as the band show that it's not all heady guitars and drums with this one as the more gentle sounds of this track really give the listener a chance to catch their breath after the first five tracks.

'An Empty Soul’ is anything but, this one really captures the whole Incrave sound in its entirety, from the flaying drums and titanic bass lines, to the superb riff building, with that final ingredient being those powerhouse vocals.

When it came to picking a favourite track off the album it turned out to be harder than usual as all the songs on this album are superb, but if I had to then ‘Scream In Silence’ would have to be my choice, with it’s added string section and mood ridden atmospherics and Falk’s haunting vocal this one reigns above the rest as my pick of the bunch.

There's a total switch in style next with ‘Never More’, as we return once more to the rampaging guitars and drums, but nevertheless this is an emphatic slice of Power Metal as you will hear this year.  The closer and title track ‘Dead End’ is full on Metal, as the band stampede their way through the track with Bålefalk and Ohlsson leading the attack, joined by the barrage from the two Davidsson’s not far behind, with a rear guard action of Stenberg picking up any stragglers on the way, then finally the leader of the pack Falk leads the charge.

As Power Metal albums goes this one will be hard to beat this year and sets the benchmark for all to follow

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