http://www.keysandchords.com/cd-metals-blog/reverence-foreverence-ep
If you want to hear a band that is sticking to the power metal genre, it is Reverence. They are a fairly recent band from America who released their EP in 2011 with two singles. It was not until 2012 that Reverence released their debut album ‘When Darkness Calls’. These were well received because actually we are allowed to speak of a super group here and attention will perhaps be focused on this. None other than Steve ‘Doc’ Wacholz (ex-Savatage, ex-Avatar) is responsible for the percussion here. Paul Kleff (ex-Metal Church live) and Brian Holland (ex-Tokyo Blade) play here the phenomenally tight guitar riffs. Russel Pzutto on bass and Scott Oliva (formerly Deranged) for the vocals.
This is not just an EP that releases the band with their new line-up, but an ode to deceased guitarist Pete Rossi (ex- Sanxtion). Paul Kleff is also the new guitarist. ‘Foreverence’ opens atmospheric, calm and yet melancholy. But ‘Fire Lord’ gives you immediately what you can expect with this album and that is bombastic, furious and 100% power metal. Scott Olivia’s singing may well be praised here. A strong firm voice that does not contradict. ‘Phoenix Rising’ brings the pace a bit higher and I will tell you honestly that this song can easily connect with ‘Hall Of The Mountain king’ of Savatage. Metal must therefore be played at a high volume in order to make it out of counterparts. For example, at ‘New Order’ you notice the groovy bass line. Here Scott Oliva shows that he can handle the higher tones easily and steadfastly. ‘Last Flight (PJR RIP)’ makes the ode to deceased guitarist Pete Rossi even more impressive by a two-minute guitar solo. ‘Sleep’ quietly closes with a balad that is short and powerful.
Finally we are treated to two live songs, which will appear on Reverence their upcoming live album. This is to be expected in the first quarter of 2018. This EP is a must have for people who especially like the power metal of the late eighties and early nineties. For me a topper of an EP and that tastes like more!
Jason Proot (4 ½)
