leverage circus colossus

Released: 04 November 2009 Label: Spinefarm

Leverage have a lot in common with the current wave of Finnish power metal - high quality musicianship, neo-classical stylings to their composition and an almost rabid dedication to highly melodic harmonies. With so many good Finnish metal bands on the scene so far, they have a significant uphill struggle to take steps up the ladder of success. With Sonata Artica, Stratovarius, Burning Point, Thunderstone and Nightwish ahead of them they have a though climb ahead. They are certainly competent enough to manage it and probably will.

"Have they managed to take a step forward on this album", is the question I have to answer in my review. I'm not so sure that they have, even though the album is very well played. I feel sometimes like the songs have two personalities - the instrumental parts feel somewhat disconnected from the vocal parts to me.

Don't think that I am saying that either element isn't working - I'm not, they are both inspirationally good. There is just something a little disjointed about the combination to me. I'm probably going to get beaten half to death by one of my fellow reviewers for this (as a closet masochist I have never let such things worry me), but I think there is too much removed from the riffs under the vocals to give maximum space for vocal creativity. It gets thrown into stark relief by the awesome musicianship during the instrumental parts. A vocalist this good doesn't need the music to "wimp out" during his verses and choruses - he can handle it guys!

It is obviously a commercially accessible album, however. They charted in Finland on release and are likely to get significant airplay for this album. Good luck to them.


by Kev McCarthy