Review Summary: Beautiful, cathartic power metal.
Power metal often uses one specific type of riff throughout an album. Riffs that surge and charge forward create base melodies and an energetic wall of sound. Scenes of Infinity is an uncommon power metal album, using hand-in-hand nuances to sculpt a full globe. The radiant sound erupts and the rhythms ensnare, and while the guitar skills are completely alluring (of course, masterful solos come scorching in), there’s more attainable than the basic rhythms that other power metal bands engage in. The focus isn’t on only one motif: speed or power. The focus is also not on riffs alone. Scenes of Infinity is an intense, moving composition as though performed by a maestro.
Light Bringer are playful and willing to experiment with what’s expected from power metal. The same cheesy choruses and triumphant melodies are showcased, but the showing is grand. It’s a spectacle for the ears, with a singer hitting cascading notes with ease over jazz fusion power metal. Other tracks pull ideas from symphonic metal, with some sweeping (though quite electronic) strings, seeming Indian music influence, and occasional nods to operatic singers. Drama — this band is all about it. Their cheese is warranted, as each track is masterfully played to bring to mind epics. Countless power metal bands attempt as such but often produce one failing that diminishes the experience. Not so with Scenes of Infinity in which every moving piece is rather fittingly Heavenly.
Patience will be required to sit through the entire fifty or so minutes offered, but the Japanese band can hardly be blamed for poor attention spans. Scenes of Infinity exists for those who wish to be completely enraptured by music. An album like this would thrive in a concert setting. Evolving sections and transitions are one thing, but Light Bringer make a meal out of them towards symphonic proportions. It’s a demanding listen, but completely worth the time investment.
