Power Quest : Blood Alliance
by Franco Cerchiari
Staff Writer
If the truth be told, the melodic power metal genre always has been a mixed bag of talents; those bands that have “it” and those that don’t. United Kingdom’s Power Quest, formed in 2001 by former DragonForce keyboardist Steve Williams, releases this, their fifth studio CD, and the first with new vocalist Chitral “Chity” Somapala, formerly of Firewind, Red Circuit, Domain, Rekuiem and Avalon. Also on board is new guitarist Gavin Owen, formerly the guitarist for the Welsh metal band Triaxis.
Let it be first said that Power Quest certainly has “it.” The ability that Somapala has in bringing with him the more harmonious sounds of Domain and Firewind, mixed with the ever present metal guitars that Power Quest is certainly known for, makes this a more melodic release than that heard on 2008’s Master of Illusion. Somapala’s voice is very different from that of Alessio Garavello. Somapala’s voice is deeper, almost more soulful, and, in certain parts, sounds very similar to Takara vocalist Michael Flatters. The band plays with a new energy here, almost as if the new band members gave them a shot of renewed vigor.
Kicking the release off is the short instrumental into, ‘Battle Stations,” with its furiously paced guitar riffs and insane guitar solo that also shows drummer Rich Smith playing at a break-neck speed, in and out the twin guitar attack trade riffs and solos with the bass guitar work laying a great background. “Battle Stations,” cascades into “Rising Anew,” in which the vocals of Somapala are heard for the first time. Rising above the music, the vocals of all band members soar during the choruses the harmonies. Also of note are the fantastic keyboards in “Survive,” “In,My Dreams,“ and “Crunching the Numbers,” which is the CD highlight, the battle cry lyrics of “Glorious,“ the rousing, inspiring and stirring “Better Days,“ which talks of man’s ability to overcome and endure and the machine-gun riffs of “Sacrifice,” which truly showcases the soulful edge of Somapala.
The low octaves of Somapala’s voice mixed with the higher pitch of his band mates during the choruses is a marvelous blend that makes the sound all the more melodious. The almost nine-minute title track opens with sounds of wind, rain and thunder that slowly starts to build up in intensity with cymbal crashes and melodic guitars that then break wide open into a sensational keyboard-heavy, melodic mid-tempo rocker. While nine minutes may seem long, the time flies by. This is a power metal track at its best. Closing Blood Alliance is “City of Lies,” which is almost episodic and symphonic (the same can be said for “In My Dreams”). During the last few minutes of “City of Lies,“ is a brief but beautifully played piano solo.
The keyboards, which are very much a part of the overall sound of Power Quest, play just delectably enough in the background that the result is the sound that makes the lush layout that is Blood Alliance. The guitars are crisp, the drums clear, and the bass just audible enough that one is evident of it’s position in the band but never overbearing.
The overall production is great, bombastic when it needs to be, and, in other moments, heavy with hints of progressive and, of course, the outcome is power metal.
It must be said that the voice of “Chity” Somapala may not be for everyone. He is comfortable in his own voice, but it is a very far cry from what is heard on previous releases. He’s certainly a fine vocalist in his own right, but for those used to the falsetto-style of Garavello, it may take a few spins to get into the flow that Somapala brings with him. With his background with such bands as Firewind and Domain, which are two of the finest bands within the power metal genre, he brings to the table a great feel that should bring fans of these bands with them to Power Quest. And, that is great thing.
Genre – Melodic Power Metal
Musicians:
Steve Williams – keyboards, background vocals
Andy Midgley – guitars, background vocals
Paul Finnie – bass, background vocals
Chitral “Chity” Somapala – lead vocals
Gavin Owen – guitars, background vocals
Track Listing:
Battle Stations
Rising Anew
Glorious
Sacrifice
Survive
Better Days
Crunching the Numbers
Only in my Dreams
Blood Alliance
City of Lies
Label: Napalm Records
Hardrock Haven Rating: 8.8/10