Germany's At Vance returns with its seventh album, naturally titled VII. Original singer Oliver Hartmann has been long gone, and journeyman vocalist Mats Levén (who also appeared on Therion's Gothic Kabbalah) split after 2005's Chained. At the vocal helm now is the perfectly capable Rick Altzi. Although rabid and galloping tracks like the opener "Break the Night," "Victory" and "Golden Leaves" dominate VII — one glance at the album cover will confirm your power-metal fantasies — At Vance does better with "Shiver," "Friendly Fire" and the closing ballad "Lost In Your Love," where the band doesn't come off sounding quite so generic. "Answer Me" even has a tough-as-leather Southern rock drawl to it. The 10-song mix should be enough to please fans of European rock and metal that is performed with polish.
Track Listing
1) Breaking the Night
2) Shiver
3) Cold As Ice
4) Victory
5) Friendly Fire
6) Golden Leaves
7) Answer Me
8) Shine
9) Truth
10) Lost In Your Love
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
