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Q.
What makes the perfect recipe for a melodic power-metal release?
A. Have the perfect ingredients for a start. First mix a
little Welsh Wizardry with three equal measures of Italian passion, then
add a dash of kiwi panache, and the resulting culinary masterpiece is
the rather wonderful 'Magic Never Dies', the latest release from Power
Quest.
This the third and latest release from the band is without a doubt the
bands finest hour (or more if you get the Japanese release!).
The album takes the band to the next level. As each track unfolds there
is a sense that the band have reached a new maturity in their approach
to the power-metal genre. They have abandoned the dragons and sorcery
theme that a lot of bands in the genre have hung on to, and instead they
have delved into their own experiences of life and loves and put these
into words and music. The result is an album that simply oozes style and
passion.
The album opens up with the intro entitled 'Ascension' which wouldn't
sound amiss on the soundtrack of one of the mighty Hollywood blockbuster
epic being released. This paves the way for the first proper song 'Find
My Heaven'. A track that gives us the first taste of the drum prowess of
new band member Francesco Tresca.
The track has all the Power Quest attributes that are found on the bands
two previous albums, 'Wings of Forever' and 'Neverworld', but also has a
more melodic feel to it that had only touched the surface on the
previous albums.
A good example of the more melodic feel to the album can be found on the
third track 'Hold On To Love', which I have to say is one of my
favourite tracks off the album, with its rich melodies and Alessio's
vocals sounding so pure and strong throughout the track.
The next track 'Diamond Sky' is another powerhouse of a track that just
steams along like a freight train and nobody can stop it. Featuring some
outstanding keyboards from the welsh wizard Steve Williams, against the
rip roaring drums of new boy Francesco.
The pace once again slows down with the moving song 'The Message'. A
tale of heartache and the pitfalls of being on the road and leaving
loved ones behind. Whether on the road musically, or just working away
from home, I'm sure a lot of people will be deeply touched by the words
and sentiment this song presents. This is a track that really showcases
the maturity of the song writing and the ability to take life
experiences and put them to create a song so beautifully touching.
The next track 'Soulfire' picks up the pace again and is pure Power
Quest with its soaring keyboards and pounding drumbeat and the
unmistakable vocals of Alessio and some quite remarkable to-ing and fro-ing
between guitar and keyboards.
'Children of the Dream' is another one of my favourite tracks off the
album, with its melodic guitar interludes and majestic keyboard
interchanges, all sustained with a very solid rhythm section. A perfect
song to play on a perfect day with the sun shining and your car windows
down. A song of hope that will bring a smile to your face as you sing
along to it. Oh yes this song should carry a health warning as it's
highly contagious and will leave you with a warm feeling inside.
The power-metal isn’t totally dismissed on the album as with the first
track the next track 'Strike Force' powers along and will keep the fans
of the first two albums happy.
And now to my most favourite track of the album, and I must say my
favourite Power Quest track to date, 'Another World'. I dare anybody to
find fault with this track, which in my opinion should be the single off
the album. If they ever choose one to represents the new album then this
is the one for me, pure class.
The final track and title track 'Magic Never Dies' is a close second as
favourite track on the album, with its pulsating drums, and the way it
dips and rises mid through, to the excellent guitars of Andrea, which
combined make this a great way to close the album.
This has to be the best power-metal album of the year so far and the
inclusion of the limited edition European copy containing a DVD of the
making of the album, makes in my eyes the must buy power-metal album of
the year.
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