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Voted
best British band by Powerplay Magazine in 2002, Power Quest return with
‘Neverworld’. This is the follow up to their much acclaimed ‘Wings
of Forever’ album and is more of the same melodic power metal vein as
that of Stratovarius and Royal Hunt.
Although there are a few line up changes with this new release, the
album does not suffer from the changes and still has all the makings of
a classic in its genre. The main changes are Adam Bickers has left the
band to pursue a medical career, and Andre Bargmann has replaced Sam
Totman. For now he appears under the guise of a guest role. Only time
will tell whether he will remain a permanent fixture of the band or not.
The opener and title track ‘Neverworld’ sets the pace for the rest
of the album. A mix of heavy keyboards and powerful bass lines that can
be found throughout the entire album. ‘Temple of Fire’ carries on in
same vane with quite a grand and pomp keyboard intro before it lifts
into a much faster paced heavier keyboard melody which continues
throughout.
This particular track contains a number of varying paces and twists and
turns but gives the listener the feeling that without them the story
would be lost. ‘Edge of Time’ is more guitar orientated track which
although it’s overall sound is much more melodic and softer, it still
manages to retain that power metal feel to it. If you’re not
particularly a power metal fan then this is the track you will most
likely warm to as it’s more generally acceptable across the genres of
melodic hard rock.
‘Sacred Land’ lifts the pace once more with all the glory of a true
power metal classic. If this is how you like your metal then this track
is the one that’s going to you’re your mind and make your little
eyes light up with sheer delight. ‘When I'm Gone’ is the closest
you’ll get to a power ballad on the album. No doubt it will probably
inspire the lighters to come out if and when the band ever play this
beauty live. It really is a great track that has that heart warming feel
about it. In fact the opening keyboard sequence reminded me of some of
the classic Magnum intro’s when Mark Stanway used to bring a tear to
the eyes of the fans during their live performances with the majestic
beauty of his playing.
‘For Evermore’ is a more melodic track that will have you wondering
why you haven’t heard of this band earlier. Like many of the tracks on
this album you can hear inspired glimpses of AOR, Classic Rock and Hard
Rock. Combined all these different influences have weaved a wondrous
tapestry of sound which will hopefully break down a few fences and allow
Power Quest to be recognised outside of the inner circle of power metal
fans and into the bigger arena of rock and metal fans.
It’s about time someone broke down some of those barriers and widened
the minds of those that normally wouldn’t be caught dead listening to
this genre of music. It wouldn’t do them any harm to step out of that
safe box they live in and try something a bit more colourful and
meaningful for once.
‘Well of Souls’ delivers the goods big style. With an almost
orchestral feel and its powerful chorus it’s one of the best tracks on
the album. The last two tracks on the album make the point by being both
powerful and melodic at the same time, while still having the ability to
keep you listening and not wondering if this track will ever end. A
fault so many bands in this genre seem to fall into.
‘Lost without You’ is probably my favourite track off the whole
album because it has everything in it that I like about a song. It may
be over 10 minutes long but includes such delicate keyboard harmonies
one minute then thunderous guitars shredding the next, it will have you
wishing it was twice a long.
Special guest vocalist Sabine Edelstacher of Edenbridge has the voice of
an angel and it’s this that lifts this song into the celestial level
of listening. This song is so hauntingly beautiful that I long to hear
it performed live. If it’s left off the pending tour setlist then they
could very well have a riot on their hands from hungry fans baying to
hear this gift from heaven.
If this is what the future of power metal holds for us then bring it on.
This is certainly a lot more accessible than many of the more well known
power metal bands around and will show that Power Quest can compete with
Europe's big boys and give them a run for there money.
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