Fall From Grace - Borealis - 2011

[Iceni]

It’s a common impression that power metal is for weenies. The mere fact that power metal has lyrics which are happy more than about 10% of the time is enough, it seems, to discredit the entire genre. Now it’s not as if there isn’t power metal with some depressing or dark lyrics. Manticora, Darksun, Galloglass, Serenity and Pyramaze have both music and lyrics which are usually not particularly uplifting. That’s why this album is so important. Borealis is a Canadian power metal group who made an appearance at ProgPower USA last year. They only has one album out before this, and that one wasn’t a bad bit of material either. However, this album, ‘Fall From Grace’, seems a lot clearer and the band seems to have put more energy into it. The first track is called ‘Finest Hour’, and it’s probably the most technical of all of the songs. It’s got thrashy drumming throughout, accompanied with their trademark guitars, which alternate between riffing and chords pretty smoothly. The guitars sound a lot more crisp on this album than their debut, and it’s a welcome change. The keyboards are also tastefully applied and definitely enhance the transcendent air of the album. But what really cinches a lot of these songs are Matt Marinelli’s vocals. He sings enthusiastically and with a wonderful bass voice, something you don’t often find in power metal. ‘Words I Failed To Say’ is a bit calmer, but definitely delivers the crunch during several passages. There’s some nice ambient guitar during the chorus as well. The riffing is also at a high standard in this sing, and the keyboards pull it along nicely. The guitars are a bit lower-pitched than your typical power metal guitars too, which helps to give off the impression that this was more thought out. This fact is especially apparent in ‘Where We Started’, where the lead soars above some crunchy riffing by the rhythm guitar before we get some clean playing accompanied by Marinelli’s vocals. It then progresses into a more heavy section which is sounds simple but is sprinkled with the occasional variation. At 3:35 we get a really nice majestic section, which leads into a solo. ‘Breaking The Curse’ starts off with a really nice Narnia-esque intro riff. This song epitomizes what I like so much about this album and this band. They’re good enough to do technical material, but they realize melody is equally important, and so they compose tracks like this that are quite pleasant to listen to. The lead guitar is nice on this one and the vocals also shine through very well. The next track, ‘Regeneration’ is more technical, with a keyboard solo in as well. It’s well placed since one might start getting the impression that Finest Hour might be the only track up to technical snuff. Then they whack you with this one, where the drums get to cut loose and get more interesting. The guitars get better as well. We get a lot more groove in the next track. ‘Take You Over’ has a great verse section in the interplay between rhythm and lead, with the keyboards. The rhythm guitar does seem a bit simple in parts, and the song is not particularly complicated in structure, but it’s definitely not a bad song. The last song of the album, 'Forgotten Forever', seems a bit more of a typical power metal number from the double bass, rapid guitar shredding, and driving keyboards, but as soon as the vocals kick in the piece gets more complex. The guitars are more rhythmically interesting, and the drumming is more varied, with the lead and keyboards guiding the melody of the song. The chorus is an uplifting construct, with the vocals and keyboards carrying it with power. We also get an unexpected piano melody, which leads into the solo after a while, and then into what seems like the bridge again. Marinelli sings the chorus with only the keyboards accompanying him and then does some great variations on the same chorus before he finishes up. I very much enjoyed this album. It is not for purists who prefer Cryptopsy and other intensely technical bands. It's a dignified sort of album, which has nothing to hide and is compelling in its warmth and feeling. Yes, I did just say that about a metal album. Nevertheless, it’s very enjoyable and a professional piece of power metal from the Great White North. I eagerly await more material from these guys!

[RelentlessOblivion]

Re: Fall From Grace - Borealis - 2011 I have to agree this is a solid album, it manages to do something quite difficult in power metal, which is have reasonably happy, warm lyrics and yet avoid falling into the trap of becoming just another cheesy power metal album, honestly I haven't listened to it for a little while (been pre-occupied with all the other new music I've been buying as of late) but now I've got a sudden urge to dust it off and give it another listen

[Iceni]

Re: Fall From Grace - Borealis - 2011

I have to agree this is a solid album' date=' it manages to do something quite difficult in power metal, which is have reasonably happy, warm lyrics and yet avoid falling into the trap of becoming just another cheesy power metal album,[/quote'] Exactly what I thought - I hope they keep this style, because it's heavy and it works well for them in that it sets them apart from a lot of other groups. Their debut is a little less polished but it's still good material.