Vision Divine - A Clockwork Reverie (Scarlet Records)
A reverie that serves as a reinvention, as Vision Divine reintroduce returning members Michele Luppi (vocals) and Oleg Smirnoff (keys) who both left the band in the late 2000's but fit back into things seamlessly on this new record that features four new tracks and three covers.
Alongside Labyrinth and Rhapsody, Vision Divine are one of the premier prog/power metal acts form Italy and it's safe to say that with Luppi and Smirnoff (not his real name), they established the first classic line up of the band.
While Vision Divine went on to be fronted by Fabio Lione, he's now too busy trying to recreate Rhapsody with keyboardist Alessio Lucatti. so this is the perfect time bring back Luppi, and Smirnoff, as it all goes full circle.
This isn't nostalgia though, far from it, Vision Divine are a band who can manage their past and their present, so these songs sound like the band they are today, performed by veteran musicians. Luppi's vocals soar, while Smirnoff's keys are the ideal foil for Olaf Thorsen's guitar, it does feel like they've been missing as the integration here has that classic Euro power metal sound.
Produced by Thorsen and Luppi, mixed by Simone Mularoni, it's definitely in the modern era with it's huge production meaning that the 2026 versions of their older songs all get an audio refresh and show how they will sound when the band head out on tour with this line up.
A Clockwork Reverie sets the tone for this new/old version of Vision Divine, don't call it a comeback, it's a rediscovery. 8/10
Dominum - Night Is Calling (Napalm Records)
The third album from Undead Power Metalheads Dominum, comes after the last record The Dead Don't Die was something of a chart smash in their native Germany. It's sort of a given as the theatrical style of metal that mastermind/vocalist Felix Heldt aka Dr Dead, creates is aimed at the masses.
The masks, stage show and sing along choruses are all for the metal fans at large taking the ball from Lordi, Ghost and others and moving it into the schlock horror realms of Alice Cooper, it's made for stages and the albums are just ways of adding more songs and extra storyline to the live show at this rate.
However this is doing them a disservice as they carry a complexity that is offset by their anthemic qualities, European power metal with modern metal heaviness, that has massive choruses and that theatricality or a twisted carnival that is directed by Dr. Dead.
From the heavy beginning The Circus Is In Town, through the electronic punch of Doctor Doctor, the bounce of Nosferatu or the duet with Battle Beast on the Title Track, heck there's even a metal cover of Thriller which is very entertaining.
Dominum are the epitome of modern power metal, made to sound big on record and bigger on stage, Night Is Calling, but will you answer? 7/10
Amberian Dawn - Temptation's Gates (Napalm Records)
Any band that plays symphonic metal and comes from the frozen north of Finland will probably do it well.
It is the defacto birthplace of the genre with some of the biggest bands in the scene come from there, so here's the newest record from Amberian Dawn who not only have a legacy to live up to from their forbears but also have to get away from being that band that covered ABBA on their previous album.
To do that they have had a line up shake up with founder/guitarist Tuomas Seppälä and co now joined by new singer Nicole Willerton who has a voice that belongs more to musical theatre than classical. She adds diversity to the record similarly to Sharon Den Adel or Amy Lee with a vocal that can soar but is rooted more in the rock sound, even adding screams to the mix as Amberian Dawn embark on their new era.
This new vocal presence is reflected with a different writing style that is informed by the catchy pop of ABBA, but also moves away from these associations, with modern metal, some Disney-like melodies on Life Is Art, 80's synthpop on Undying Colours and even sprightly neo-classical metal.
Finnish symphonic metal that has moved more towards the keyboard-driven, synth heavy version that is so popular, Temptation's Gates brings Amberian Dawn into what the genre is today, national legacy and Swedish pop superstars be dammed! 7/10
Prime Creation - Souls Of The Fallen (ROAR)
Some Swedish melodic metal now that has one potential fatal flaw, as the fourth record from Prime Creation features music I can get on board with but a vocalist I can't.
Formed in 2015 and with three albums behind them, it's really guitarist Robin Arnell and vocalist Esa Englund who are left from those foundations so, perhaps I'm wrong but to me England's vocals are all over the place one minute he sounds like Joakim Broden, the next Mr Lordi, then a snarling punk singer.
It did confuse me for the first couple of listens, as he sounds like a few different people but I did get used to it, especially as Prime Creation play a blast beat heavy style of power metal with dark lyrics and down tuned guitars, it's well produced and will definitely appeal to lovers of the US style of power metal.
While they won't change the world, if you like the vocals you'll enjoy Souls Of The Fallen from Prime Creation. 6/10
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