Boy is the power-metal landscape getting crowded these days. With bands like Rhapsody, Gamma Ray, Iron Savior, Elegy, Edguy, Helloween, and Stratovarius all enjoying the majority of the spotlight, you would think that newer bands would try something different. Along comes French band Heavenly, who have even snared producer Tommy Hansen to help them put together this exciting yet familiar CD.
There really is nothing here that most fans of the genre have not heard before, but as with many bands the execution of the material is very well done. Singer and main songwriter Ben Sotto has that trademark high scream down pat, sounding very much like former Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske. The rest of the band contribute the usual double-bass drums, lightning guitar licks, and walls of symphonic keyboards (which oddly enough are uncredited.) Most of the songs deal with fantasy and religious themes, and provide an interesting read that goes along well with the adventurous instrumental passages.
Songs like "The World Will Be Better" and the excellent title track are almost like leftovers from the Keeper of the Seven Keys albums from Helloween a decade or so ago. Combining crunchy metal, neo-classical arrangments, and some progressive touches, this CD from Heavenly is a familiar yet welcome winner.
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