Back in 2007 for the bands 7th studio album, simply entitled VII, At Vance mastermind Olaf Lenk has recruited Treasure Land vocalist Rick Altzi to take the place of now departed Mats Leven who had sung on the previous couple of outings. Gone to from the lineup are Mark Cross (drums) and John Smith (Guitar) seemingly replaced by the mysteriously unknown and uncredited (with all the information given) new players.
Whoever these new unknown players are, they have certainly managed to keep Lenk's creation rolling strongly on, taking the traditional European Power Metal sound, and subtly adding more main stream hard rock tinges, and even the odd sample of symphonic metal. Altzi too proves more than capable, his voice fitting perfectly to the vision that has been set out, hitting the high notes when needed while all the while maintaining a gruff sound at others. I've heard comparisons to a more heavy Jeff Scott Soto, and, to be fair, I can completely understand where that comes from.
On 'Shiver', At Vance really shine, the multi-layered vocals setting the sound off perfectly, Altzi possibly at his best on the entire album. Ironically the following track, 'Cold As Ice' reminds me of Scandanavians 'Last Autumn's Dream', not so much during the chorus itself of the song, but in the way Altzi sings, it seems to add that kind of tempo that was especially evident on the 'Winter in Paradise' album. Musically, the similarities aren't there, At Vance being far heavier, but the similarity was definitely there.
This is a good album. It's strong from start to finish, another example that Power Metal has a real upsurge of quality right now, and that's never a bad thing.
Lineup:
Rick Altzi - Vocals
Olaf Lenk - Guitar
Track Listing: 1. Breaking The Night 2. Shiver 3. Cold As Ice 4. Victory 5. Friendly Fire 6. Golden Waves 7. Answer Me 8. Shine 9. Truth 10. Lost In Your Love
Whoever these new unknown players are, they have certainly managed to keep Lenk's creation rolling strongly on, taking the traditional European Power Metal sound, and subtly adding more main stream hard rock tinges, and even the odd sample of symphonic metal. Altzi too proves more than capable, his voice fitting perfectly to the vision that has been set out, hitting the high notes when needed while all the while maintaining a gruff sound at others. I've heard comparisons to a more heavy Jeff Scott Soto, and, to be fair, I can completely understand where that comes from.
On 'Shiver', At Vance really shine, the multi-layered vocals setting the sound off perfectly, Altzi possibly at his best on the entire album. Ironically the following track, 'Cold As Ice' reminds me of Scandanavians 'Last Autumn's Dream', not so much during the chorus itself of the song, but in the way Altzi sings, it seems to add that kind of tempo that was especially evident on the 'Winter in Paradise' album. Musically, the similarities aren't there, At Vance being far heavier, but the similarity was definitely there.
This is a good album. It's strong from start to finish, another example that Power Metal has a real upsurge of quality right now, and that's never a bad thing.
Lineup:
Rick Altzi - Vocals
Olaf Lenk - Guitar
1. Breaking The Night 2. Shiver 3. Cold As Ice 4. Victory 5. Friendly Fire 6. Golden Waves 7. Answer Me 8. Shine 9. Truth 10. Lost In Your Love