Artist: Reverence
Review Type: Album
Genre: Power Metal

Track Listing:

1. When Darkness Calls
2. Bleed For Me
3 Phantom Road
4. Devil In Disguise
5. Too Late
6. Gatekeeper
7. The Price You Pay
8. Monster
9. Revolution Rising
10. After The Leaves Have Fallen
11. Vengeance Is Mine

Lineup:

Todd Michael Hall – Vocals
Bryan Holland – Guitar
Frank Kruckel – Bass
Pete Rossi – Guitar
Steve Wacholz – Drums

Reverence has a fine pedigree when it comes to their music, featuring ex-members of Tokyo Blade, Savatage, Crimson Glory and Jack Starr’s Burning Starr.

Formed in 2010 and based in Detroit, Michigan, not much would be expected for such a newly-formed band. But given their previous credentials this band delivers a near masterpiece of an album with ‘When Darkness Calls‘. Powerful guitar riffs, pounding drums, deep bass tones and crisp, clear, classic metal vocals supplied by Todd Michael Hall. Straight from listening to the opening track you know that this album is going to be something special.

Debut albums are generally raw and tend to show up a band’s naivety when it comes to transferring their music from the rehearsal room to a finished product. This is not the case with this album, it is clean, tight and polished; virtues that can only come from the experience the band members have gained from previous projects.

The intro to the title track reminded me of something Annihilator would have produced during their early years. A slow eerie build up to a song that’s melodic chorus contains some furious double bass drumming, squealing guitar riffs, complimented with some great backing vocals. It’s clear to see the whole band contributes 100% to the infrastructure of each song.

Song after song on the album you are subjected to crunching guitar riffs, awesome hooks, solid thunderous drumming and Todd Michael Hall’s impressive 4-octave vocal range. The musicianship is faultless and almost every song has a melodic catchy chorus that instantly grabs your attention.

The only deviation from the full-on  power metal onslaught comes in the form of ballad-esque After The Leaves Have Fallen. A Dio/Queensrÿche inspired effort that showcases the band’s softer side. A melancholy power ballad defined with some excellent guitar work and inspiring vocals.

If you were lucky enough to experience the power metal genre in the 80′s I have no doubt that this album will transport you back to those glory days when you give it a spin. It’s a refreshing change from all the angst-filled music that a lot of the current crop of so-called ‘metal’ bands seem to be churning out. I have listened to this album a number of times and it gets better with each new listen.

For fans of Crimson Glory, Metal Church, Judas Priest, Savatage, Queensrÿche and Dio this album is a MUST HAVE!