Power Quest: Sixth Dimension

It would be fair to say that I like Power Quest very much. I gave 2011's Battle Alliance a big 4.5 stars (possibly a slightly OTT mark but not by much) and wrote my first blog for this site back in 2013 about Power Quest calling it a day (read the blog here) I hereby place on record that I have the gold vinyl version of Sixth Dimension on order and can't wait to get my mitts on it as it is everything that long term fans of the band could possibly want. I'm almost tempted to say that it is the best album to come out under the PQ banner. Sixth Dimension comes on the heels of the Face the Raven EP and two tracks from the EP ("Face the Raven" and "Coming Home") appear here as well.

The current line-up is Ashley Edison – vocals, Steve Williams – keyboards, Andy Kopczyk – guitars, Glyn Williams – guitars and long-time rhythm section Paul Finnie – bass and drummer Rich Smith. Steve Williams mixed the album alongside former vocalist Alessio Garavello whilst it was mastered by Jens Bogren [Dragonforce, Symphony X, Arch Enemy.] Artwork is by Felipe Machado Franco [Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, Iced Earth]. Guest co-vocals on the frankly epic title track, which was co-written by Steve Williams and Richard West [Threshold] are by Anette Olzon [ex. Nightwish.] There are also appearances from former Power Quest six-stringer Andrea Martongelli and Freedom Call's Lars Rettkowitz.

I can't begin to say how much I love Sixth Dimension – it's the most Power Questy Power Quest album, by which I mean sweeping keyboards, frenetic guitars, pummeling drumming (all of which are unleashed on "Coming Home" in particular) and a quite magnificent performance from Ashley Edison who can do it all vocally. I have seen some early reviews which have, unsurprisingly and lazily used the epithet, "cheesy," to describe this album and yes guardians, saviours and indeed Neverworld all get a lyrical mention but the album deals with larger themes. In the same way that "I Don't Believe in Friends Forever" deals with broken promises and sneaky friends, much of Sixth Dimension is tackling kinship and brotherhood (or sisterhood for that matter) and perseverance.

Yes, Sixth Dimension is relentlessly upbeat and positive and stays well within the confines of the genre, but there's a crunchiness which removes any gorgonzola-type qualities and overall, it's a total triumph!

Track Listing
01. Lords of Tomorrow
02. Starlight City
03. Kings and Glory
04. Face the Raven
05. No More Heroes
06. Revolution Fighters
07. Pray for the Day
08. Coming Home
09. The Sixth Dimension

Added: September 13th 2017
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 2706
Language: english

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