VOICES OF DESTINY - review added 27th January 2012
Album Review: Power Dive (2012)
For fans of: Gothic Metal
I last crossed paths with German band Voices Of Destiny early in 2010. That was for their debut album "From The Ashes" which didn't quite tick all the boxes for me. The performances were great but the song writing and the way all the different elements gelled wasn't quite there. Fortunately this new one seems to have resolved most of the problems and is consequently a much better release.
Female singer Maike Holzmann does a great line in operatic vocalizing. She's got an incredible set of pipes on her, though she is a touch too softly-sung to be a proper metal goddess. Still, when combined with Lukas Palme's deathly vocals and the incredible musicianship her lack of oomph doesn't matter so much.
Lukas' vocals aren't up with Maike's from a technical standpoint, but actually for pure enjoyment I prefer them. He sounds proper evil and I'd like to hear him playing a greater role, even fronting his own band.
That musicianship includes a lot of fine playing, but more importantly a really great sound. The way the instruments were set up in the studio and then mixed is nigh on perfect. Few instrumental sections sound better than on this album; drums, strings, everything included.
Of the songs, the crazily heavy 'My Separation', the equally raucous 'Dreams Awake', and the very operatic 'Dedication' are great. 'Your Hands' is even better, combining unfathomable death metal and commercial accessibility with weird ease. The remaining tracks are all of a high standard, making this a very consistent release from start to finish.
In Summation:
The first album didn't really work. This one does in a big way. Go figure. And then buy it.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Intro
02. Power Dive
03. My Separation
04. Dreams Awake
05. Kami
06. Untouchable
07. Being Worth
08. Dedication
09. Your Hands
10. Red Winter’s snow
11. Outro
12. Smoke and mirrors (Digipak bonus track)
Band/Performers:
Maike Holzmann - Vocals
Chris Gutjahr - Guitars
Lukas Palme - Keyboards and vocals
Jens Hartwig - Bass
Erik Seitz - Drums
Other Info:
Produced & Mixed und Mastering by Andy Horn at Red Room
Cover artwork von Jan Yrlund /Darkgrove Design
Label: Massacre Records
Artist's website(s): Voices Of Destiny | MySpace | Facebook
