Artist: Onward
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 2/19/02
Rating: 4 Skulls
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Title: Reawaken Artist: Onward Label: Century Media Release Date: 2/19/02
Rating: 4 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Requiem (5/15/02):
With the resurgence of power metal well under way and possibly even past its recent prime, the tried and true will stick with their formula of melodic 80's magnificence. While most of America's misled youth are still content with wearing Adidas and thinking that rap rock is metal, there are those of us who have still not forgotten the roots of heavy metal. Plus the fact that vocalists who can really sing and guitarists who can not only write great songs, but solo their asses off are not a thing of the past. Onward keep this heavy metal flag flying proudly, and in my opinion, are one of the better power metal acts not only in the US, but in the world.Onward have always been one of the few acts that had the nostalgic flame of Riot within their music, whether they are fans or not. Rather than sounding bland like a lot of low grade power metal acts out there, each Onward tune has a different ring to it and by no means sticks to a set formula. And the fact that Tony Knapp's early claim to fame was his solo recording for Shrapnel Records, it's clear that the man can write solid riffs and arrangements that make you giddy over that fact that you've kept that leather from way back when. While Tony holds the fort down with solid riffs and sizzling solos, vocalist Michael Grant's vocal phrasings and melodies are the key elements that keeps you coming back like a crack fiend on his frantic hunt for a fix. Drummer Jon Pereau keeps the time with the best of em and adds slickness via his multi-tempo styles throughout each and every riff. In the end, all I can think is Thundersteel-era Riot and that the best damn thing any power metal band can do for me.
The album opener and title track has that feel good Hammerfall quality to it, sticking to the power metal 101 formula but pulling off quite well. "Night" has a Judas Priest heaviness to it and later on has a section that calls to Megadeth's "Holy Wars" in execution nearby the solo section. "Where Evil Follows" is by far the album's shining star as it exhibits the multi-tempo drum formula that I mentioned earlier. Air drum worthiness on that one for sure. Along with the great guitar work and vocals this track is sure to get the hair flying. "My Darkest Room" is a faster paced tune, which begins with a fine opening riff. "In Due Time" exhibits Michael Grant's ability to sing extremely infectious chorus melodies with his mid to low ranged vocal stylings. The last 2 tracks are one tune broken up into 2 parts in which the first is just vocals and keyboards, being the album's ballad. Part 2 kicks into a more rockin' track serving as an interesting end to a great album.
Like their debut, there are a couple of not so shiny moments here and there, but overall the quality level is up to par with the best of 'em. At first I thought this was far inferior to the debut, but after several listens Reawaken has grown to come much closer. Granted, I'll admit that these guys are no Lost Horizon, but Onward are a highly overlooked power metal act that will hopefully one day get the attention they deserve. If any of you out there are fans of Thundersteel-era Riot, this stuff has the same qualities as that with an Onward twist to it. It's all a matter of taste. Rhapsody and Falconer are not quite my thing whereas Onward and Hammerfall are. What's good and what's not is yours to decide.
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