Uplifting
I've been kept abreast of Power Quest's movements since putting my name down on their mailing list when they supported Helloween at Bradford Rios fourteen months ago. As well as appearing, then not appearing at this year's doomed Prog Power III, they also seemed to be taking an age to finish their new opus 'Master Of Illusion'. I will not shy away from my initial opinion that they were too keyboard heavy and suffered with only one guitarist. This opinion was not only confined to their live performance, but also their discography. As good as 'Magic Never Dies' was I couldn't help but think a little more metal would go a long way. Thankfully, courtesy of that mailing list decision, I was emailed the news that vocalist Alessio Garavello was assuming second guitarist duties. Surely this had to be a good move, it was the aspect I moaned about in the review of the above gig. My wish had come true.
Finally, 'Master Of Illusion' appeared on my doormat and all expectations I had for the album were pummelled, squashed into a jiffy bag and mailed to Siberia. In short, 'Master Of Illusion' was worth the wait. Something has happened to Power Quest, something good, something worthy. It's difficult to actually say what it is. The keyboards are prevalent as always, and even with Garavello adding extra guitars the production hasn't gone guitar mad. Fans of Power Quest will instantly recognise the keyboard driven riffs, and the ultra melodic overtones. But I think deep down the band have developed and improved as song-writers.
The band exist in world where the minor chord is treated with suspicion, and the phrase 'down-tuned' is considered dirty and taboo. Don't be fooled by their power metal label, Power Quest rely on melody and hooks rather than power and grit. However, by introducing a little power and grit they have written a record that is head and shoulders above anything they've produced before. The guitars are slightly heavier in tone allowing them to cut through more convincingly rather than dominate the mix. The drums are fit sonically with bass and the driving rhythm guitar lines. But it's the keyboards where the biggest improvements are made. They're like the step Dream Theater's Kevin Moore made from 'Images and Words' to 'Awake'. They add more atmosphere, more body and an extra dimension to the overall sound without losing sight of what Power Quest are all about.
Power Quest has two aces up their sleeve. The first is the golden pipes of Alessio Garavello. He is instantly likable and able to throw around melodies as if they were rag dolls. The second is the guitar work of Andrea Martongelli. On such tracks as 'King's Of Eternity' and 'The Vigil', his shredding is impressive. Having seen his skills first hand, and knowing what a great player he is, it's great to hear that talent transferred to disc.
'Master Of Illusion' is one of the most tuneful albums I've ever heard. It's uplifting in it's attention to melody and performance capture, and in 'Civilised' the band have written their best five minutes to date (Although the title track and 'Human Machine' are also impressive). On the flip side 'I Don't Believe In Friends Forever' is spoilt with an unsuitable chorus, and 'Never Again' sounds like two songs clumsily glued together. But these are minor niggles and don't detract from the overall quality on offer.
Make no mistake that 'Master Of Illusion' is strictly for the Sonata Arctica, Freedom Call and Stratovarius market. It doesn't have the grit of bands such as Metalium or Helloween, but if you're a fan of power metal full stop then this must be worth your attention. Not even the 'You're being annoyed by a voice on the new album by Power Quest' voice-over spoilt my enjoyment of this album, the down side is that I may have to actually go out and buy this one.