After four albums released on InsideOut Records (their last, Save My Soul, in 2007), German progressive metal act now find themselves on Metalville Records for their long awaited seventh platter, Spiral of Fear. Though the band generated a lot of buzz within progressive metal circles in the late '90s and early 2000s, it's been quiet in the Poverty's No Crime camp for some time, but that's something that Volker Walsemann (vocals & guitars), Marco Ahrens (guitars), Heiko Spaarmann (bass), Jörg Springub (keyboards) and Andreas Tegeler (drums) aim to change here with Spiral of Fear.
Dazzling musicianship, engaging vocals, catchy melodies, and of course dramatic songs generally are characteristics of a successful prog-metal album, and Spiral of Fear has all of those and more. Instantly memorable hooks surrounded by metallic riffs, tasty lead guitar work, sumptuous keyboards, and rock solid rhythms permeate the stunning title track, "Dying Hopes", "The Longest Day", and the dreamy "The Ballad of 91", while the wild instrumental "The Fifth Element" allows the band to show off their musical capabilities in dazzling fashion. There's also a heavier side to Spiral of Fear, which you can hear on the Dream Theater-meets-Deep Purple crushers "Fatamorgana", "A Serious Dream", and the driving closer "Wounded". Overall, Spiral of Fear might be one of Poverty's No Crime's more accessible albums, but they've given up none of their power and virtuosity to get there. This is a pleasant surprise, and welcome return from a veteran band.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1. The Longest Day
2. Spiral Of Fear
3. Fatamorgana
4. A Serious Dream
5. The Fifth Element
6. The Ballad Of 91
7. Dying Hopes
8. Wounded
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