Power Quest - Wings Of Forever


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Underground Symphony
Catalog Number: USCD-068
Format: CD
Total Time: 52:11:00

Power Quest begin their quest in a very epic fashion conjuring feelings of you're about to listen to something VERY big indeed. And then ...

... it delivers. Shocked was what I was, because I didn't expect an album of this quality. With the recent success of UK-built Dragonforce, it was with great surprise that this band is almost a carbon-copy of them. Thus, the band play tight, symphonic power metal with half the members coming from an Italian band called Arthemis and the other half from the UK. The band actually features ex-members of Dragonforce Steve Scott (bass) and Steve Williams (keys), as well as current guitarist Sam Totman, which gives the band the similarity. A third guitarist was added, Andrea Martongelli, leaving Totman to concentrate on the burgeoning Dragonforce. With so many guitarists it is safe to assume it's a guitar-hunters dream.

So, with all that out of the way, what does Power Quest deliver? Whilst never reaching the dizzying heights displayed on the DF album Valley Of The Damned, Wings Of Forever is absolutely engaging and powerfully entertaining metal without the over-blown production (this time courtesy of Karl Groom, guitarist of prog metallers Threshold). And like DF, there is almost no let up in the music, which means you are literally assaulted for the 52 minutes. But this is heavy on the melody and catchiness that for some reason also reminds me of Secret Sphere and Stratovarius, with the keys ever present but never really getting in the way of the driving, anthem like charge of the rest of the band.

So, what's the vocalist like? Alessio Garavello definitely has a Kiske-thing going (much as I hate to say something like that), especially in songs like "Power Quest (Part I)" and "Beyond The Stars." My only criticism is that during the slower parts of the album (which there aren't many) it shows holes in the vocalist's repertoire. But as I said, it doesn't happen very often. Did somebody say originality? Originality ? get over it. When it comes to this style I think originality has mostly gone out the window. You either like this stuff or you don't.

In conclusion it is really quite simple - if you loved Dragonforce then get this album!

Similar To: Dragonforce, Labyrinth

[This review originally appeared March 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Prelude To Destiny (1:45) / Wings Of Forever (5:31) / Far Away (4:48) / Glory Tonight (6:09) / Power Quest (Part 1) (7:39) / Beyond The Stars (4:43) / Immortal Plains (5:45) / Follow Your Heart (6:12) / Freedom Of Thought (7:04) / Distant Lands (2:26)

Musicians:
Adam Bickers - guitars
Alessio Garavello - vocals
Andrea Martongelli - guitars
Steve Scott - bass
Sam Totman - guitars
Steve Williams - keyboards

Discography:
Wings Of Forever (2002)
Neverworld (2003/2004)
Magic Never Dies (2005)
Master Of Illusion (2008)
Blood Alliance (2011)
Face The Raven (ep) (2016)>br? Sixth Dimension (2017)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin UK

Added: January 15th 2005
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: www.power-quest.co.uk
Hits: 2181
Language: english

  

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