Review Summary: Exceptional modern power metal with obvious Judas Priest influences. Reverence has excellent vocals and strong material that will please most power metal fans who give them a try.
Reverence is a relatively unknown power metal band hailing from Detroit Michigan. Their brand of power metal sounds reminiscent of more modern power metal acts such as Primal Fear and Firewind, with a sharp and crisp sound full of hook-driven and energetic performances that the genre is famously known for. The album also boasts some exceptional vocals that will make the album easy for most everyone to digest.
The album kicks off fast and full of energy with three solid tracks consecutively, but starts to lose steam by the fourth, not diminishing in quality but rather in pace and intensity. Whether the band is playing fast and energetically, or slower and more focused, they maintain the calculated hook driven power metal that so many of us are surely acquainted with. Aside from a few nicely constructed riffs and drum fills, hooks and choruses are the band’s real strengths, with many catchy and memorable hooks displayed in nearly every track. As a result, nearly each track sounds distinctly different from the next. However, there is a slight downside to this, as individual musical prowess such as drum and even (to an extent) guitar solos take a backseat to the artfully crafted hooks and choruses. The band functions as a whole equal unit, with the members playing efficiently but none really standing out from the others, aside from the vocals of course.
The vocals are quite unique for this genre, with performances akin to what I think would happen if Joey Belladonna of Anthrax tried his hand at power metal. He displays impressive range and tone that matches the music well, and though he can reach high in vocal range, the vocals are never overdone or detrimental to the music like other acts. Altogether I have no complaint or issue with the vocalist as I think he does an excellent job.
With so many compliments bestowed upon this group, it would seem almost underhanded to knock them down a peg, but realistically, this is a solid power metal album that WILL sound familiar to you, nothing more, and nothing less. The band isn’t re-inventing the genre; rather, they are playing it expertly and efficiently. There is absolutely nothing progressive about this album, which is a shame because I think that given enough creative motivation this band could write some truly compelling music that sounds very unique not only to power metal but unique to metal in general.
With all that said, I DID enjoy this album quite a bit. If you have a soft spot for power metal than this album comes highly recommended from me. Upon your first listen you will find exceptional modern power metal with obvious Judas Priest influences. Reverence has excellent vocals and strong material that will please most power metal fans who give them a try. Just don’t expect anything TO extraordinary. It is largely bread and butter power metal after all.
PERSONAL FAVORITES:
- When Darkness Calls
- Bleed for Me
- Phantom Road
- The Price You Pay
