Magic Never Dies Reviews
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Last year I got pretty impressed with the second album from the English quintet Power Quest. This CD called ‘Neverworld’, produced by Threshold guitarist Karl Groom, was a great addition to the already existing genre of Italian power metal. It may have sound a bit strange to categorize that album to that Italian genre but with having Rhapsody and Labyrinth as influences and having several Italian members it could explain a bit more.
Lords of Metal (NL) July issue
Since then this group did some gigs with Threshold and even shared the stage with a band I mentioned before, Labyrinth and Dream Evil in London. All these experiences and the hunger to play made the band go into the studio once again. In this Thin Ice Studio the band recently finished recordings of disk number three called ‘Magic Never Dies’. For the last album I came up with a new genre-name namely happy metal. With their new effort another new name comes into my head. The music that is portrait now and which has matured again a lot since last the last release now can be called happy power A.O.R. I really like this new album, even more than the last one I reviewed last year. You can find again another great bunch of power metal tunes in the vein of Rhapsody and Freedom Call. Then again this album also contains some exceptional A.O.R. tunes in the style of the English legends Shy. Just listen to a song like ‘Hold On To Love’ and you will agree with me. Another proof of that statement can be found when you listen to the power ballad ‘The Message’. With Andrea Martongelli this band has an excellent guitar-player who adds some mood full solo’s to all the songs. With the faster songs there is a premium role for the new drummer Francesco Tresca. He really knows how to lead the speedy rhythms into well-organized compositions. My personal highlight is one of the fasters songs, number nine on this disk called ‘Another World’. I just love those aggressive riffs, the power drums and the clear and striking keyboard-sounds from band-leader Steve Williams. This new album does not has any minor points it is enjoying yourself all the way.
Lords of Metal (NL) July issue
Since then this group did some gigs with Threshold and even shared the stage with a band I mentioned before, Labyrinth and Dream Evil in London. All these experiences and the hunger to play made the band go into the studio once again. In this Thin Ice Studio the band recently finished recordings of disk number three called ‘Magic Never Dies’. For the last album I came up with a new genre-name namely happy metal. With their new effort another new name comes into my head. The music that is portrait now and which has matured again a lot since last the last release now can be called happy power A.O.R. I really like this new album, even more than the last one I reviewed last year. You can find again another great bunch of power metal tunes in the vein of Rhapsody and Freedom Call. Then again this album also contains some exceptional A.O.R. tunes in the style of the English legends Shy. Just listen to a song like ‘Hold On To Love’ and you will agree with me. Another proof of that statement can be found when you listen to the power ballad ‘The Message’. With Andrea Martongelli this band has an excellent guitar-player who adds some mood full solo’s to all the songs. With the faster songs there is a premium role for the new drummer Francesco Tresca. He really knows how to lead the speedy rhythms into well-organized compositions. My personal highlight is one of the fasters songs, number nine on this disk called ‘Another World’. I just love those aggressive riffs, the power drums and the clear and striking keyboard-sounds from band-leader Steve Williams. This new album does not has any minor points it is enjoying yourself all the way.
Dream Thief
Soul Of The Black Forest
Well, it's finally arrived......I firstly gotta say that's cracking artwork!
I'm listening to it as I write this and my verdict is.....
Gonna be in my review which I will definitely be writing tonight. I'm gonna give it a few spins and then start writing! I'll let ya know once it's up Steve
edit: Okay, it's up now. I've played the album five times through already and I thought I'd get cracking and before I knew it, the review was complete!
here you go
Cheers to you all for a stunning album!
I'm listening to it as I write this and my verdict is.....
Gonna be in my review which I will definitely be writing tonight. I'm gonna give it a few spins and then start writing! I'll let ya know once it's up Steve
edit: Okay, it's up now. I've played the album five times through already and I thought I'd get cracking and before I knew it, the review was complete!
here you go
Cheers to you all for a stunning album!
Cronopio
Glorious Imperator
Power Quest - Magic Never Dies (2005)
It is said that lightning never strikes the same place twice. I disagree. Actually, it might have struck the same place thrice, as far as I'm concerned. If you read my review for last year's Neverworld, you should know I was pretty damn excited with that release, and in hindsight I may have overscored it a little (10/10). It's not that it doesn't deserve the full score, it does, because it is a brilliant album, but then the new opus Magic Never Dies must be awarded at least 15/10, because it blows Neverworld and everything the guys've done so far out of the water! The albums is truly that amazing, and comes as close to perfection as I could ever wish. It's amazing really. How the bloody hell do they do it? It's like they've taken everything that was great about Neverworld and increased it tenfold. The productions is stronger, clearer, punchier. Muscially, main songwriter, keyboardist and band founder Steve Williams has improved his already excellent songwriting skills and abilities to pen catchy hardrocking AOR tunes reminiscent of the 80's, as well as traditional high-speed double-bass galloping power metal hymns. Steve Scott's basslines are thicker and groovier, as well as more accentuated than ever before. I want to be able to hear the bass in a metal record, which is exactly what I'm doing here. Andrea Martongelli is an excellent guitarist, as usual, shining especially in the lead and solo parts. Alessio Garavello has obviously really worked on his voice, and this may well be his strongest performance to date. New drummer boy Francesco Tresca is a real find, and I hope the drummer issue will be a thing of the past for the band now.
As for consistency, not one song on the new album is out of place or makes you want to hit the skip button. And the magic truly works both ways - you can either enjoy the songs as a whole, in which case you have a consistent and strong record, or you could pick them out one by one, in which case they also work. The balance between old and new, fast and slow, melodic, groovy, metal and hard rock is simply nearly too much for a poor soul like me to bear.
I'm going to go over the songs one by one, mainly because I owe it to them. To them and to the guys for writing music that make me want to run around the city, hair blowing in the wind, pumping my fist in the air, once again understanding what it is about this music that so touches my heart; that makes me want to live my life to the fullest of my potentials, that makes me believe there IS a God, and that he is moving within me. Without further ado ...
Ascenscion
Probably the most bombastic intro ever to grace a heavy metal disc. You just gotta love those snaredrums! Makes your blood boil in awe of what's to come. Truly worthy of its name.
Find My Heaven
Sweet familiar Power Quest territory covered in this excellent uptempo opener, with a chorus so accessible you'll be singing along with it before it's over. Pay attention to the lyrics as well. Will I really find what I long for in this life? No knights or dragons whatsoever here ...
Galaxies Unknown
My personal absolute favourite song off the album, although every tune holds that special magic for me, and it's almost impossible to choose. This song has made me indebted to the PQ guys for the rest of my life. I believe the word I'm looking for is gratitude. Embodying all that is good in speedy melodic metal, Galaxies Unknown features one of the most uplifting choruses I've heard in any song, ever, as well as almost superhuman drumming from new sticksman Francesco Tresca. That guy's a monster!
Hold On To Love
A very tender and beautiful midtempo song about, well, holding on to what makes you endure in life. Musically moving in AOR territory, with some very tasteful keyboards reminiscent of those employed in Edge Of Time from Neverworld. The chorus is catchy and sad at the same time, which is something only this band can do.
Diamond Sky
A short and sweet uptempo power metal tune, penned by Alessio and Andrea, which is a nice surprise. These guys really should write more tunes, if they're as good as this once. I'm afraid I'm starting to repeat myself here, but the bridge and chorus are so catchy you'd have filled three normal melodic metal releases by other bands by now, but it's all good. Kudos, dudes!
The Message
The (obligatory) ballad, clocking in at over six minutes, and never a boring second. It's heartwrenchingly beautiful in a way that I thought only When I'm Gone could be, but I was proven wrong. Yet the message (no pun intended) within this tune is such an empowering one, the song work on so many more levels than one. Listen and find out for yourself. You'll be better off for it.
Soulfire
Yet another uptempo song (thank you very much!), and a blisteringly powerful one to boot. Adding a touch of progressiveness and a lot of chunky guitar riffs, this song comes across as maybe the most aggressive PQ tune to date. There is a tempo and a will to rock your socks off in this song that you'll be able to feel.
Children Of The Dream
We're back in hard rock AOR land with this tune, which may very well become yet another live favourite, sandwiched in between the faster songs. The keyboards just scream 1984 and sundrenched beaches, whereas the lyrics move in those areas into which one ventures late at night, or at the end of a special period of your life, thinking back, wondering what may have been different, and did I really live my life to the fullest? Yeah, if you played this song over and over again, I'd say you did!
Strike Force
Damn! How the hell do they do it??? It's inhuman, it's impossible. Yeah, it's a fast power metal song, but it's brilliantly written, produced, and orchestrated. The band takes the time to let it evolve, which becomes very clear when listening to the instrumental introduction. Any other band could have blasted right along, but Power Quest builds the up the tension well with some very majestic pipe organs before the double-bass kicks in, and this where I'd say the band has 'matured', if one dares use such a word. Yeah, you might even say they'd tried to incorporate some progressiveness into the songs, even though we're naturally not talking progressive as in Dream Theater progressive. Anyways, along with Galaxies Unknown, this song may very well be my personal favourite off MND.
Another World
Speaking of progressiveness ... Another World is the longest song on the album, and the one that took the longest for me to get into, which doesn't mean it's bad. On the contrary. This is where what makes the album dynamic. Kind of like Lost Without You. Lots of different parts within the song to enjoy, all coming together in the end to form a coherent whole. You have been warned ...
Magic Never Dies
Lastly, the title track. What is there to say? A perfect closer, worthy of summing up a great album. Go back to your memories, rememeber that whatever happens, you were there, and therefore, magic never dies. Speed and passion are the keywords for this songs, which has the feelings of a true epic.
The Longest Night (bonus track)
For once, you'd do well to spend the extra cash and get the Japanese version. This song was actually written by Clive Nolan, but fits so well into the Power Quest 'concept' you'd think it was written by the man (Steve) himself. I understand that songs like these are representative of what people like to call 'happy metal', but I happen to like happy metal, so I'll just savour it and enjoy what is, quite simply, a brilliant bonus track.
So that's it. Or is it? Not really. There's a bonus DVD for the European version as well. And you're in for a treat, as the disc shows the band in the studio, goofing around and having a damn good time, which is what this kind of music's all about in the first place. There's some really fucked up sections with a plastic toy character that looks like it's had one too many pints (or is it Andrea?), wobbling along in front of an amplifier, while some seriously deranged voiceovers accompany the debauchery (or is it Andrea ... yet again?) There are also shitloads of photos and slideshows of the band and the recording process. Truly, you get the feeling that the band wanted to give the fans something extra, and this is it. Go get both versions if you can. As far as I know, the European version will be a digipak one, catering for that extra luxury you so well deserve. Treat yourself to Power Quest; one of the best bands in the world, any category.
It is said that lightning never strikes the same place twice. I disagree. Actually, it might have struck the same place thrice, as far as I'm concerned. If you read my review for last year's Neverworld, you should know I was pretty damn excited with that release, and in hindsight I may have overscored it a little (10/10). It's not that it doesn't deserve the full score, it does, because it is a brilliant album, but then the new opus Magic Never Dies must be awarded at least 15/10, because it blows Neverworld and everything the guys've done so far out of the water! The albums is truly that amazing, and comes as close to perfection as I could ever wish. It's amazing really. How the bloody hell do they do it? It's like they've taken everything that was great about Neverworld and increased it tenfold. The productions is stronger, clearer, punchier. Muscially, main songwriter, keyboardist and band founder Steve Williams has improved his already excellent songwriting skills and abilities to pen catchy hardrocking AOR tunes reminiscent of the 80's, as well as traditional high-speed double-bass galloping power metal hymns. Steve Scott's basslines are thicker and groovier, as well as more accentuated than ever before. I want to be able to hear the bass in a metal record, which is exactly what I'm doing here. Andrea Martongelli is an excellent guitarist, as usual, shining especially in the lead and solo parts. Alessio Garavello has obviously really worked on his voice, and this may well be his strongest performance to date. New drummer boy Francesco Tresca is a real find, and I hope the drummer issue will be a thing of the past for the band now.
As for consistency, not one song on the new album is out of place or makes you want to hit the skip button. And the magic truly works both ways - you can either enjoy the songs as a whole, in which case you have a consistent and strong record, or you could pick them out one by one, in which case they also work. The balance between old and new, fast and slow, melodic, groovy, metal and hard rock is simply nearly too much for a poor soul like me to bear.
I'm going to go over the songs one by one, mainly because I owe it to them. To them and to the guys for writing music that make me want to run around the city, hair blowing in the wind, pumping my fist in the air, once again understanding what it is about this music that so touches my heart; that makes me want to live my life to the fullest of my potentials, that makes me believe there IS a God, and that he is moving within me. Without further ado ...
Ascenscion
Probably the most bombastic intro ever to grace a heavy metal disc. You just gotta love those snaredrums! Makes your blood boil in awe of what's to come. Truly worthy of its name.
Find My Heaven
Sweet familiar Power Quest territory covered in this excellent uptempo opener, with a chorus so accessible you'll be singing along with it before it's over. Pay attention to the lyrics as well. Will I really find what I long for in this life? No knights or dragons whatsoever here ...
Galaxies Unknown
My personal absolute favourite song off the album, although every tune holds that special magic for me, and it's almost impossible to choose. This song has made me indebted to the PQ guys for the rest of my life. I believe the word I'm looking for is gratitude. Embodying all that is good in speedy melodic metal, Galaxies Unknown features one of the most uplifting choruses I've heard in any song, ever, as well as almost superhuman drumming from new sticksman Francesco Tresca. That guy's a monster!
Hold On To Love
A very tender and beautiful midtempo song about, well, holding on to what makes you endure in life. Musically moving in AOR territory, with some very tasteful keyboards reminiscent of those employed in Edge Of Time from Neverworld. The chorus is catchy and sad at the same time, which is something only this band can do.
Diamond Sky
A short and sweet uptempo power metal tune, penned by Alessio and Andrea, which is a nice surprise. These guys really should write more tunes, if they're as good as this once. I'm afraid I'm starting to repeat myself here, but the bridge and chorus are so catchy you'd have filled three normal melodic metal releases by other bands by now, but it's all good. Kudos, dudes!
The Message
The (obligatory) ballad, clocking in at over six minutes, and never a boring second. It's heartwrenchingly beautiful in a way that I thought only When I'm Gone could be, but I was proven wrong. Yet the message (no pun intended) within this tune is such an empowering one, the song work on so many more levels than one. Listen and find out for yourself. You'll be better off for it.
Soulfire
Yet another uptempo song (thank you very much!), and a blisteringly powerful one to boot. Adding a touch of progressiveness and a lot of chunky guitar riffs, this song comes across as maybe the most aggressive PQ tune to date. There is a tempo and a will to rock your socks off in this song that you'll be able to feel.
Children Of The Dream
We're back in hard rock AOR land with this tune, which may very well become yet another live favourite, sandwiched in between the faster songs. The keyboards just scream 1984 and sundrenched beaches, whereas the lyrics move in those areas into which one ventures late at night, or at the end of a special period of your life, thinking back, wondering what may have been different, and did I really live my life to the fullest? Yeah, if you played this song over and over again, I'd say you did!
Strike Force
Damn! How the hell do they do it??? It's inhuman, it's impossible. Yeah, it's a fast power metal song, but it's brilliantly written, produced, and orchestrated. The band takes the time to let it evolve, which becomes very clear when listening to the instrumental introduction. Any other band could have blasted right along, but Power Quest builds the up the tension well with some very majestic pipe organs before the double-bass kicks in, and this where I'd say the band has 'matured', if one dares use such a word. Yeah, you might even say they'd tried to incorporate some progressiveness into the songs, even though we're naturally not talking progressive as in Dream Theater progressive. Anyways, along with Galaxies Unknown, this song may very well be my personal favourite off MND.
Another World
Speaking of progressiveness ... Another World is the longest song on the album, and the one that took the longest for me to get into, which doesn't mean it's bad. On the contrary. This is where what makes the album dynamic. Kind of like Lost Without You. Lots of different parts within the song to enjoy, all coming together in the end to form a coherent whole. You have been warned ...
Magic Never Dies
Lastly, the title track. What is there to say? A perfect closer, worthy of summing up a great album. Go back to your memories, rememeber that whatever happens, you were there, and therefore, magic never dies. Speed and passion are the keywords for this songs, which has the feelings of a true epic.
The Longest Night (bonus track)
For once, you'd do well to spend the extra cash and get the Japanese version. This song was actually written by Clive Nolan, but fits so well into the Power Quest 'concept' you'd think it was written by the man (Steve) himself. I understand that songs like these are representative of what people like to call 'happy metal', but I happen to like happy metal, so I'll just savour it and enjoy what is, quite simply, a brilliant bonus track.
So that's it. Or is it? Not really. There's a bonus DVD for the European version as well. And you're in for a treat, as the disc shows the band in the studio, goofing around and having a damn good time, which is what this kind of music's all about in the first place. There's some really fucked up sections with a plastic toy character that looks like it's had one too many pints (or is it Andrea?), wobbling along in front of an amplifier, while some seriously deranged voiceovers accompany the debauchery (or is it Andrea ... yet again?) There are also shitloads of photos and slideshows of the band and the recording process. Truly, you get the feeling that the band wanted to give the fans something extra, and this is it. Go get both versions if you can. As far as I know, the European version will be a digipak one, catering for that extra luxury you so well deserve. Treat yourself to Power Quest; one of the best bands in the world, any category.
Wow......just gonna read through your reviews now guys!
Well I gotta say a huge thanks to Gyre and Dream Thief for such comprehensive reviews. It really means a lot to us that you enjoyed the album so much that you were prepared to do the review "Song by song". Seriously guys....we really appreciate the kind words! You rule!
Well I gotta say a huge thanks to Gyre and Dream Thief for such comprehensive reviews. It really means a lot to us that you enjoyed the album so much that you were prepared to do the review "Song by song". Seriously guys....we really appreciate the kind words! You rule!
looseunit
LooseUnit
Symphony said:
WOW totally great reviews !!! thanks guys for the time and effort to write such an in-depth song by song analysis
ehi! thank you so much for spending your time writing down your thoughts song by song!!!
And thank you for all your kind words men!
We are very proud for this release and we are very happy that you like it!
And thank you for all your kind words men!
We are very proud for this release and we are very happy that you like it!
Cronopio
Glorious Imperator
Tonberry
Cutthroat Crusader
Just checked my playlists and I've listend to MND 4 times more than RN, despite only have the PQ album for a month and SA's since last year!
Cracking reviews guys! You've put into words what was exploding out of my head for the last month!
Dream Thief
Soul Of The Black Forest
gyre said:That's nothing. Thank YOU guys, for creating this lovely piece of art. Yeah man, it's ART.
Amen to that!
Tonberry
Cutthroat Crusader
And for those of us who arn't fluid in Italian
http://babelfish.altavista.com/
That review has some great comparisons, noteabley Helloween (Keeper era,) Sonata Arctica, and Europe!
Also, how do you manage to make songs so dam catchy? Seriosuly infecting my brain. Sitting in the Exam Hall, I'm singing away "Hold On To Love... Don't let it slip awaaaayahaaaayy!!" to myself! Top Stuff!
http://babelfish.altavista.com/
That review has some great comparisons, noteabley Helloween (Keeper era,) Sonata Arctica, and Europe!
Also, how do you manage to make songs so dam catchy? Seriosuly infecting my brain. Sitting in the Exam Hall, I'm singing away "Hold On To Love... Don't let it slip awaaaayahaaaayy!!" to myself! Top Stuff!
Cronopio
Glorious Imperator
Nice of you guys to link to our reviews in the review section of the site! However, the link to my review leads to Dream Thief's, which, excellent as it is, is not something I can take credit for.
Dream Thief
Soul Of The Black Forest
hehe, I'd just spotted that. Yeah, there are two links to my review on the page.
Fanstastic review as well Gyre by the way
Fanstastic review as well Gyre by the way
Cronopio
Glorious Imperator
Dream Thief said:hehe, I'd just spotted that. Yeah, there are two links to my review on the page.
Fanstastic review as well Gyre by the way
Thanks, man. I guess that makes us PQ fan boys #1 and #2. So much for rock journalism ...
Cronopio
Glorious Imperator
Yeah, I made the front page!
I'll post any reviews of MND that I can find here, and also, if you need any help translating from German, Dutch or Swedish, I'm your man.
Who is going to come and save you now ...?
I'll post any reviews of MND that I can find here, and also, if you need any help translating from German, Dutch or Swedish, I'm your man.
Who is going to come and save you now ...?
Cronopio
Glorious Imperator
A new review; not overly positive, I'm afraid. Please don't kill the messenger.
http://www.metalreview.com/viewreview.aspx?ID=1792
http://www.metalreview.com/viewreview.aspx?ID=1792
