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Rating: So, the "Early works center" I already reviewed really disgusted me. Extremely superficial songs, and other pop/metal songs, I judged it the worst metal album I had ever listened to. I listen to this album released after two years and indeed realize that things have changed. Yes, in fact the songs seem to have a slightly more studied structure, the genre has changed a bit and this time it's a bit too similar to Power Metal, further from what it should actually be: "Neoclassical". The songs could be considered nice, catchy, but listening to the entire album leaves a bit of a bitter taste.
This is the typical metal where the band showcases technical ability and very good instrumental knowledge, but without putting them in the right context, atmosphere, or expressiveness. In the end, when listening, you admit they are good and can hold their own, but you don't take any pleasure, because there's no soul to convey, no suitable atmosphere to make you appreciate the CD.
It's a pity, these At Vance are famous, yet they suck so much... I wouldn't even know where they go wrong, but they seem too focused and at times even forced in proving their skills rather than trying to convey something, even a mere feeling, and this is a serious mistake to avoid in the metal genre. That the technique has improved over the years seems obvious to me, and the structural change in the different songs is no coincidence, as many have left and joined the band, the founder Oliver Hartmann has given way to Mats Leven who at other times (better for him) collaborated with Yngwie Malmsteen.
So the Germans with this "power neoclassic" propose an evolution which is certainly better (and by far) than the first album, even though, their ruthless collection of various cues from bands like Stratovarius and Raimbow means that throughout the album you have that "already heard" feeling which I honestly reject. And I challenge anyone, with "Fallen Angel", not to be fully reminded of Stratovarius, but the song can still charm fans of melodic speed, provided they have not already known and faced the true masters and pioneers of the genre. The same could be said for the entire album.
In conclusion, I think that those who want to listen exclusively to a good and acceptable portion of technique in a melodic, fast context, unbridled and rhythmic, adrenaline-filled and powerful, might also consider purchasing the proposed album, but if you, like me, cannot find a "power" worth noting because only clones circulate nowadays and what you needed to hear you've already heard, avoid it big time. Moreover, I can recommend you listen to "Broken Vow".
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Broken Vow (04:07)
Watching the tears melt
With the rain on my skin
What was my mistake
What was my sin
Will you be there
Just to show me the way
Who do you dare the
Long and winding road
There is hardly anything
You could compared
Don't you see
What you've down to me
You left this broken vow
But why did you break my heart
We could be closer now
But why did you break my heart
Unspoken words
Violence and hate
We've been thru it all
But now that's it's too late
So I'm sending out this prayer
Towards the heaven that we owned
So much higher than the mountains
And the fields of love we roamed
Running towards eternity
In search for peace of mind
Don't you see
What you've down to me
You left this broken vow
But why did you break my heart
We could be closer now
But why did you break my heart
03 The Evil in You (05:12)
Well there's something there that's frightning
It lives close to your heart
Something makes you scared
And it tears you apart
And you send a prayer for mercy
But it won't release your soul
So you try to break away
But it tears down the wall
You can feel it comin' closer
And there's nowhere you can turn
It takes away your freedom
It gets your soul to burn
Cause that's the evil
The evil in you
It chains your soul forever
In a room without a door
And you can feel it's now or never
That you got to join the war
As you raise your hand against it
You can feel the rising force
And you know that you will stand it
As you raise your burning cross
As a lightning cracks the sky
With a shine you've never seen
And the walls of darkness open up
And you stand in between
Cause that's the evil
The evil in you
As a lightning cracks the sky
With a shine you've never seen
And the walls of darkness open up
And you stand in between
Cause that's the evil
The evil in you
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