Revoltons - Night Visions
Limb Music Products - 0310-061 - 2004
Philip Whitehouse
This review was an absolute agony to write, mainly because Italy's Revoltons are a very difficult band to get a grip on. Not that there's anything outstandingly original or groundbreaking about their material, though - nope, it's quasi-symphonic power metal with progressive flourishes from start to finish, no surprises there - but more because the inconsistent nature of the album makes it difficult to tell whether I like the music or not. Ignoring the obligatory keyboard introduction (which, I might add, would be against international law should I ever rule the world), the first track proper 'Cell Of Death' showcases some functional if unspectacular riffage, somewhat more complex arrangements than most power metal, and the somewhat jarring high pitched vocals.
The vocals are the first sticking point - the clear, punchy production gives the riffs some kick, the drums a fair bit of power and the bass a somewhat percussive feel. So, with this instrumental heaviness, the vaguely Helloween-esque vocals (with their Italian accent, no less) just don't seem to sit well. 'Hands Of Magellano' is more promising, with some more memorable, heavy-ass riffage and the vocalist starting to sound more at one with the music. Then it's time for a clean guitar interlude - pleasingly melodic, but fairly nondescript, time for a track skip methinks - followed by album highlight 'Reality Met Childhood' - the best riffage on the album, a more straightforward heavy track than the others, and some death-growls to boot! Top notch.
Sadly, Night Visions seems to lose steam after this. The songs begin to blur somewhat into one another, with just a few standout moments recapturing the attention. If Revoltons can wring a little more consistency out of their songwriting, then I'm sure they'll live up to their Symphony X and Rhapsody comparisons. At the moment, they're rather second-tier, although the potential to triumph is there.
6.5/10
Revoltons Official Website
Limb Music Products
Limb Music Products - 0310-061 - 2004
Philip Whitehouse
This review was an absolute agony to write, mainly because Italy's Revoltons are a very difficult band to get a grip on. Not that there's anything outstandingly original or groundbreaking about their material, though - nope, it's quasi-symphonic power metal with progressive flourishes from start to finish, no surprises there - but more because the inconsistent nature of the album makes it difficult to tell whether I like the music or not. Ignoring the obligatory keyboard introduction (which, I might add, would be against international law should I ever rule the world), the first track proper 'Cell Of Death' showcases some functional if unspectacular riffage, somewhat more complex arrangements than most power metal, and the somewhat jarring high pitched vocals.
The vocals are the first sticking point - the clear, punchy production gives the riffs some kick, the drums a fair bit of power and the bass a somewhat percussive feel. So, with this instrumental heaviness, the vaguely Helloween-esque vocals (with their Italian accent, no less) just don't seem to sit well. 'Hands Of Magellano' is more promising, with some more memorable, heavy-ass riffage and the vocalist starting to sound more at one with the music. Then it's time for a clean guitar interlude - pleasingly melodic, but fairly nondescript, time for a track skip methinks - followed by album highlight 'Reality Met Childhood' - the best riffage on the album, a more straightforward heavy track than the others, and some death-growls to boot! Top notch.
Sadly, Night Visions seems to lose steam after this. The songs begin to blur somewhat into one another, with just a few standout moments recapturing the attention. If Revoltons can wring a little more consistency out of their songwriting, then I'm sure they'll live up to their Symphony X and Rhapsody comparisons. At the moment, they're rather second-tier, although the potential to triumph is there.
6.5/10
Revoltons Official Website
Limb Music Products
