Neverworld - Visions Of Another World
Neverworld is a newer band on the UK power metal scene that brings forth some much needed energy and enthusiasm with them. They did put out a three song EP several years ago, but this is their debut full length collaboration and overall it does an excellent job of getting their point across.
To be honest the CD starts a bit weird with a lengthy introduction that really doesn't add much to the CD other than pad the track count and disc length, neither does it detract from the music much because when the title track kicks in two minutes later, you are instantly shown just what to expect with the rest of the CD. The title track is solid with a definite power/prog kind of feel. The more traditional heavy metal comes in next with the uber cool They Live (any song about John Carpenter's classic is gets brownie points as far as I am concerned).
Blood And Romance starts out with this slow almost Jethro Tull feel to it and definitely screams 70s. Though the track features some goth-like female vocals it doesn't come across that way and is a very solid listen. Ghosts, Salt Water Bandits and This Fire are also very solid and memorable tracks as well and each has their own style and flare, making this album overall an interesting mix of different influences.
I am very curious to see if any future CDs have a similar mix of styles or if the band is still seeking out their overall sound. This assortment was a bit challenging to get my head around properly, but once I did, it became a very strong offering for me. Color me impressed!
\m/ 8.5 \m/
To be honest the CD starts a bit weird with a lengthy introduction that really doesn't add much to the CD other than pad the track count and disc length, neither does it detract from the music much because when the title track kicks in two minutes later, you are instantly shown just what to expect with the rest of the CD. The title track is solid with a definite power/prog kind of feel. The more traditional heavy metal comes in next with the uber cool They Live (any song about John Carpenter's classic is gets brownie points as far as I am concerned).
Blood And Romance starts out with this slow almost Jethro Tull feel to it and definitely screams 70s. Though the track features some goth-like female vocals it doesn't come across that way and is a very solid listen. Ghosts, Salt Water Bandits and This Fire are also very solid and memorable tracks as well and each has their own style and flare, making this album overall an interesting mix of different influences.
I am very curious to see if any future CDs have a similar mix of styles or if the band is still seeking out their overall sound. This assortment was a bit challenging to get my head around properly, but once I did, it became a very strong offering for me. Color me impressed!
\m/ 8.5 \m/