Reverence – When Darkness Falls
Artist: Reverence
Album: When Darkness Falls
Label: Razar Ice Records
Release Date: 31st May 2012
Reviewed by: Matt Farrington
Reverence released their highly anticipated album When Darkness Calls on May 31st and this was the result of members from previous bands Savatage, Tokyo Blade and Burning Starr.
So what do we think? Upon the start of the first track “When Darkness Calls” it sounds reminiscient of Overkill with the eerie guitar intro but when vocalist Todd Micheal Hall kicks in they come into their own. The old school power metal of the 80’s comes back in full force as the band start to take it up a notch and the tightness of the musicianship complements Halls vocals.
Hall switches between comparisons of early Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate and the late great Ronnie James Dio, especially on the fist pumping “Bleed for me” and “Devil in Disguise”. “Too late“ displays their power for melodic choruses alongside chugging guitar riffs and overladen screaming solos. Bryan Holland and Pete Rossi make sure the guitars intertwine with each other and then flow seamlessly together throughout ,a feat that reflects how tight this album’s playing actually is alongside the powerbeating of Steve Wacholz double bass drumming Frank Saparti’s grinding bass lines.
Surprisingly one of the main stand out tracks of the album is the slow ballad “After the Leaves have fallen”which shows the band have the capability to not just rock but epitomize true sensitivity into their music and songs.
This is a solid overall album of dueling guitars, powerfull drums, heartbeating bass and ascending vocals that will not only make you reminisce of good old fashioned Power Metal, but help you want to bring it back……with a force!
8 out of 10
http://allabouttherock.co.uk/index.php/our-latest/reviews/cds/330-reverence-when-darkness-falls
