Two amongst a batch of value added packages from Majestic Rock Records recently have been Power Quest's
'Wings Of Forever' and '
Neverworld'. In both cases these reissues now include a second disc - a DVD - and several bonus tracks. More later.
Power Quest are a quintessentially English Power/ symphonic Metal band. They show a certain amount of restraint - often apparently holding power in reserve - where their European counterparts unrelentingly go over the top. Maybe it's just their natural style, but probably producer Karl (Threshold) Groom's got a lot do with it.
Paradoxically, that holding back only serves to emphasise the strength of the songs and the delivery.
Steve Williams' ever present neo classical keyboard structures and the huge harmonies add gravitas to each and every track, ensuring that the high velocity bpms and familiarity of this style never reduce the album to lowest common denominator metal. This is classy stuff.
Sam (Dragonforce) Totman's soaring, perfectly measured axe solos pepper the tracks with colourful flourishes, complementing Williams' keyboards and Alessio Garavello's effortless, octave challenging vocals.
These elements combine best on the epic '
Far Away', the dramatic '
Power Quest' and the more ambitious '
Freedom Of Thought'. All through though, the melody quotient remains high. If Power / symphonic metal songs could ever be described as 'catchy', look no further than '
Wings Of Forever'.
Bonus tracks come in the form of the demo's for '
Glory Tonight' and '
Follow Your Heart'.
The DVD captures the band live at the Underworld, London, with a setlist drawn from their first two albums.
You have to say that the subtleties of the band's music are lost a little in the live setting, though Garavello's shorn locks do nothing to diminish the strength of his vocals.
Sound is a bit thin in places. But as a warts n'all, close up and personal live recording, fuelled by adrenalin and raw power, this one's just fine.
Roadwork, maturity, a bigger budget and better songs (marginally, arguably) boosted the band up to another level on '
Neverworld'.
All '
Wings Of Forever's attributes are present and correct. Speed doesn't play a major role, the band recognising that the mid tempo material on the debut stood, for the most part, head and shoulders above the rest.
There's more of a hard rock vibe in places. Album standout, '
Edge Of Time' is a prime case in point. The intro could be
Van Halen or Foreigner. '
When I'm Gone', rich in harmonies, lightened by a breezy flute solo, bridges between that hard rock direction and the band's more familiar power metal. Unusual, a hybrid that works.
On the other hand, a not unwelcome progrock feel creeps into the album on the balladic,
'Lost Without You'. Heavy with ringing guitars and whispering choirs, this track switches up and down the gears with a head turning alacrity, and features a nicely pitched duet with guest vocalist Sabine (Edenbridge) Edelbacher.
Some rich pickings on the second disc, the DVD. An in studio video record of the "making of Neverworld"; a smart documentary; an excruciatingly boring, but mercifully short piece on songwriting;
'Hold On To Love' captured live; a gallery and tour bus footage. Great for fans.
In fact, that's a sentiment that applies to both packages here.
It holds good too for anyone who's curious about Powerquest. Either of these special editions would be an ideal starting point.
Ratings
WOF 6/10
Neverworld 7/10
Written by
Brian Wednesday, May 23, 2007
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