Artist: Power Quest 
   Title: Master Of Illusion
   Label: Napalm Records

One of the most anticipated releases for some years for me has to be Power Quest’s 'Master Of Illusion', the band whom we have followed since their humble beginnings.  A band who have on numerous occasions surpassed themselves gig after gig and album after album, right from their much acclaimed debut ‘Wings Of Forever’ back in 2002 to their 2006 opus 'Magic Never Dies' and 'Neverworld' in between.

In 2008 the band have returned with 'Master Of Illusion' and once again Steve Williams and the rest of the boys, Alessio, Andrea, Steve Scott and Francesco have done it again, they've unleashed a monster of an album that will once again place the name of Power Quest on the lips of every Power Metaller worldwide.

The album is pure class from beginning to end as the band show a maturity of sound that is unequalled.  As the album gets underway with ‘Cemetary Gates’ right from the off the band continue where 'Magic Never Dies' left off, with some pounding double kick and keyboard infused Melodic Metal.  This album for the first time includes the added bonus of lead singer Alessio taking up the guitar, which is bound to ease some of the pressure off lead guitarist Andrea, who can now do what he does best and shred like a demon!  The album is without a doubt a Power Quest album from start to finish containing driving guitars, huge keyboards and a drummer who can pound out a beat like no other I know.

As the album continues with ‘Human Machine' it's clear to hear the band have honed their sound into a more refined balanced Power Metal, while at the same way still remaining true to the sound that has made the band so popular over the past three albums.  'Human Machine' is probably one of the finest tracks the band has produced, with Williams keyboards and Andrea’s guitar leading the way for Alessio to show his more mellow style with a fine vocals, whilst the backbone of the band Steve Scott and Francesco Tresca give a sterling performance on this more mellow refrain.

'Civilised' is another slice of pure genius from the quintet as Steve W once again gets this one underway before Alessio shows what a fine frontman he really is. Fear not though all those who think the band have abandoned their faster roots, because the tempo is soon picked up again with the rampaging licks of Andrea igniting ‘Kings Of Eternity’, a track that encapsulates the whole Power Quest sound with its lightening fast drums and bass, spellbinding licks from Andrea, Alessio’s unmistakable vocals and the ever present keyboards of Steve W.

It's Steve W's keyboards that are the dominant feature of the title track ‘Master Of Illusion' as they open up proceedings and continue their soaring presence throughout, and with the added guest vocals of Chris Neighbour from Fourwaykill, this one will really have the fans of the band seal of approval.

One of the tracks of the album for me is ‘Vigil’, which again features a guest vocal by Neighbour who adds his gruff tone alongside Alessio’s more melodic tones, backed by Francesco’s formidable drumming and Steve S’s hammering bass lines, to produce a track well worthy the Power Quest name.

This very impressive album continues with the spellbinding ‘Save The World’, again the band do away with pace in favour of pure melody and grace, as Andrea really shows it's not all shred in the world of Power Melody, as great riffs and licks just ooze out of the Italians fret board, and with Steve W's is equally outstanding form, this is without a doubt THEE track of the album.

The album goes from strength to strength as each track unfolds to reveal a quality of Melodic Power Metal that will be hard to beat this year.  Things continue with ‘Hearts and Voices’, where Alessio’s vocals reign supreme as he raises the bar a little further without seemingly reaching his limit together with Andrea displaying some fine bridge work making this another a fine track.

Things just get better and better as the soaring intro into ‘I Don’t Believe In Friends Forever’ raises the hairs on the back of my neck.  This particular song really showcases where the production of Richard West and Nick Savio shines through as musically it has that certain Threshold feel about it.

The album comes to an end all too soon for me with ‘Never Again’, a real fast paced anthemic ending full of the trademark Power Quest vibes big guitars, huge keys a thumping rhythm section and a powerhouse vocal. This rounds off another great album from the boys and let's hope this sees the fruits of the band labours and we see the band out on the road again soon, not only here in the UK but throughout Europe and beyond ... because the world needs to know THE QUEST GOES ON!

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