Reverence – Review by DangerDog (US) 4.5/5.0
http://www.dangerdog.com/2015-music-reviews/reverence-gods-of-war.php
REVERENCE: GODS OF WAR
Reverence: Gods Of War
Heavy/Power Metal
4.5/5.0
Website Facebook Twitter YouTube
Razar Ice/Avalon/Marquee Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 28.10.2015
Why stop a good thing? Back to kick some ass again is Reverence, Detroit’s purveyors of classic American heavy power metal. The band features some American metal veterans with vocalist Todd Michael Hall (Riot V, Jack Starr), guitarist Bryan Holland (Tokyo Blade, Arrest), drummer Steve ‘Doc Killdrums’ Wacholz (Savatage, Crimson Glory), guitarist Pete Rossi (Overland, Sanxtion), and new bass player Michael Massie. Their latest and sophomore effort is Gods Of War.
Alright. So I probably made my summation with that second sentence. But it bears repeating and with some elaboration. Reverence plays “true” heavy metal. They work from the fundamentals of this most excellent genre. The foundation is formed by melody and harmony, whether by the twin guitars or the vocal arrangements. Then there’s the thunder and lightning of metal heaviness from the brisk riffs of those same twin guitars, but also from roaring rhythm section. Which, in their turn, also supplies both (rock) groove and power. They put the pace into Reverence’s power metal side. All things are accented by fiery guitar solos, once more, from that twin guitar attack. Meanwhile, Hall adds his soaring vocals above the fray. Call it elementary, but that’s the formula. This is how true heavy metal is done.
And it can be roaring and intense as with Angel In Black, with it’s sharp riffage straight out of the gate. Alternatively, another time Reverence will offer some moderation to start as with Tear Down The Mountain, only to have the riffs elevate and the drums power the way. That song is also a good example of the gang vocal harmony which Reverence can muster at any time. For the pure blister of racing power metal you can turn to Battle Cry or, even better, Heart of Gold. These are not mere foot races, but galloping horses in full stride. Conversely, returning to a bit of that moderation, Reverence turns a page to a metal anthem with Splinter. Mild mostly in the first third, with Hall’s voice rising steadily, the guitars rise in both harmony and intensity, leading to more sweet guitar solos. Metal friends, it’s all good. But it’s also more of the same from Reverence. That’s hardly a bad thing as it merely shows that Reverence has found their sound and their stride. If you liked the first album, you dig this one as well. Recommended.
