Reviews from Utopian Void
Lords of Metal Review 20.05.14 - Posted in Utopian Void reviewshttp://www.lordsofmetal.nl/en/reviews/view/id/26623
"I strongly think that it was a great move for Distant Past to recruit Jumly. The little giant definitely shines with his fantastic vocal performance, and constantly lift the music to higher level. The rest of the band dont drop any stitches either and sound like one solid unit."
Nima : With Utopian Void Swiss metallers Distant Past have arrived with their fourth long player. This however is my first acquaintance with this band, which is not surprising, seeing that all previous records were self-released. But if those records all show the same quality as Utopian Void does, then it surprises me that it took them so long to get record deal.
Distant Past play melodic power metal with a slight progressive touch, which is not at all original or renewing, but well though-through and convincing nevertheless. The musics basis is NWOBHM and US power metal, and the 80s spirit is definitely the blueprint for the sound and approach. Think of a combination of bands such as Iron Maiden, Dokken, Lizzy Borden and Jag Panzer, but also Blind Guardian, Iced Earth and compatriots Emerald. The last-mentioned is also due to the fact that ex-Emerald vocalist Jvo Jumly makes his debut on this album. As I mentioned before, Im not familiar with the earlier works, but I strongly think that it was a great move for Distant Past to recruit Jumly. The little giant definitely shines with his fantastic vocal performance, and constantly lift the music to higher level. The rest of the band dont drop any stitches either and sound like one solid unit.
I must say that not all tracks are equally as convincing. At some points there is simply too much going on in one song. This is of course to the varietys benefit, but also the reason get lost in the middle if you dont fully focus. The album also requires multiple listens in order to really get on track. Fortunately the music does come into its own well thanks to the clear and delightfully full production, and the total picture is definitely convincing. Altogether Utopian Void is a highly pleasant power metal album that will apply to several generations of fans.
In Signs Of The End and Touched By The Gods the limited first edition also contains two bonus tracks. I find it a pity that these songs wont appear on the regular version, because these are two absolutely fantastic musical pieces that truly stand out from the majority of the album. If these songs would have made it on the regular version, the album would definitely have scored more points.
Distant Past - Utopian Void
Label : Pure Steel Records | Archive under heavy / power metal
Release type: Full-length CD
Nima : With Utopian Void Swiss metallers Distant Past have arrived with their fourth long player. This however is my first acquaintance with this band, which is not surprising, seeing that all previous records were self-released. But if those records all show the same quality as Utopian Void does, then it surprises me that it took them so long to get record deal.
Distant Past play melodic power metal with a slight progressive touch, which is not at all original or renewing, but well though-through and convincing nevertheless. The musics basis is NWOBHM and US power metal, and the 80s spirit is definitely the blueprint for the sound and approach. Think of a combination of bands such as Iron Maiden, Dokken, Lizzy Borden and Jag Panzer, but also Blind Guardian, Iced Earth and compatriots Emerald. The last-mentioned is also due to the fact that ex-Emerald vocalist Jvo Jumly makes his debut on this album. As I mentioned before, Im not familiar with the earlier works, but I strongly think that it was a great move for Distant Past to recruit Jumly. The little giant definitely shines with his fantastic vocal performance, and constantly lift the music to higher level. The rest of the band dont drop any stitches either and sound like one solid unit.
I must say that not all tracks are equally as convincing. At some points there is simply too much going on in one song. This is of course to the varietys benefit, but also the reason get lost in the middle if you dont fully focus. The album also requires multiple listens in order to really get on track. Fortunately the music does come into its own well thanks to the clear and delightfully full production, and the total picture is definitely convincing. Altogether Utopian Void is a highly pleasant power metal album that will apply to several generations of fans.
In Signs Of The End and Touched By The Gods the limited first edition also contains two bonus tracks. I find it a pity that these songs wont appear on the regular version, because these are two absolutely fantastic musical pieces that truly stand out from the majority of the album. If these songs would have made it on the regular version, the album would definitely have scored more points.