ArteMetal – 9/10 – When Darkness Calls Album Review

The Power Metal is still a very popular style and even worn as strikethrough, your tree still bears much good fruit, even if the flavor seems always the same, after all you do not need to be original to be good, especially when the band is ‘old monkeys’.

Formed in 2010, Reverence was formed by guitarist Bryan Holland (former Tokyo Blade) and vocalist Todd Michael Hall (Harlet, Jack Starr’s Burning Starr). These two subjects were not enough, the team still complete drummer Steve “Doc” Wacholz (yes himself, ex-Savatage of  “Sirens” (1983) – “Handful Of Rain” (1994)), Pete Rossi (guitar) and the newly arrived Ned Meloni (bass, Jack Starr’s Burning Starr).

The sound, as I said before, is focused on Power Metal and done with great class and knowingly. But it is not just as there are many elements of NWOBHM, traditional Heavy Metal and Hard Rock up (especially in the choruses). Everything is done in a cohesive manner and with a melody that never tires the listener, because there is a balance between weight and intense arrangements.

The exquisite work undoubtedly is without the guitars, as the riffs have a weight in unusual style and are relieved with beautiful and well developed solos. Note the track Too Late and prove what I say. The kitchen follows a simple, cohesive, and escapes that standard speed for nothing, on the contrary, the variation is very good.

Todd’s vocals are typical of the style, but are far from sounding exaggerated and have very interesting lines and choruses. Choruses, moreover, that are the trademark of the band. This can be seen in Bleed For Me, Gatekeeper and, most of all Power Metal, Monster, one of the best on the disc.

Still highlight Devil In Disguise, and the power ballad Revolution Rising After The Leaves Have Fallen. “When Darkness Calls” is proof that there is saturated and styles rather uncreative bands. After all, if the Power Metal is worn Reverence was not aware of it. Baita album!