Originally Portuguese version here: http://heavenisnottoofar.webs.com/reviewvoicesofdestiny.htm
» “Power Dive” is the second full-length of German VOICES OF DESTINY, two years after the release of their debut (“From The Ashes”).
Their symphonic heavy metal is that one of a more progressive orientation than power metal. As it became usual in this kind of band, the main voice is a soprano female, while a growling male voice sings second vocals. Maike Holzmann plays her part very well, sometimes sounding more angelic than soprano, but in a very controlled way, not hurting our ears. The same I can’t say about Lucas Palme. Contrasts are always a good idea but within certain limits, and that just doesn’t happen here. Not only the harshness in Palme‘s voice is too much, as I believe he has no training whatsoever – he simply gets to the microphone and screams. Yes, we can say it’s yet another contrast with Maike‘s discipline, but personally, I would like the male parts a little bit more polished.
“My Separation” for the first promo-video was the right choice, as it’s one of the strongest tracks, if not the strongest. The instrumental sounds pretty simple, actually, but the musicians “attack” in such a frenzy that for a moment “black metal” crosses our mind. Maike‘s voice follows a path of its own, different from the tone of the guitars and keys, and I believe that’s what caught my attention – this contrast now is pleasant. In the chorus she engages in the melody, pairing up with it, and I also like the detail of a second voice overlaid, from Maike herself but singing in a different tone.
In the title-track we distinguish the angelic tone I’ve mentioned before, and a more heavy metal music. But the metal in “Kami” and “Your Hands” has a more epic variation. “The Untouchable” has some “happy” keys, while the ones which start up “Dedication” remind us of a tragic symphony. And the softest theme, not being exactly a ballad, we find it in “Being Worth”.
In a whole, it’s an album with quite a potential and, within the genre, a promising band. «
Label: Massacre Records
Producer: Andy Horn
Tracklist:
- Prologue
- Power Dive
- My Separation
- Dreams Awake
- Kami
- The Untouchable
- Being Worth
- Dedication
- Your Hands
- Red Winter’s Snow I: Prophets Of Doom
- Power Dive (reprise)
- Smoke And Mirrors (digipack bonus track)
Front Row Forever 