Band : Holy Force
Album title : Holy Force
Label : Music By Mail – Connecting Music
Distributor : Music By Mail – Connecting Music
Release Date : 09/09/2011
Release : CD

This band features former members from renowned bands like Manowar, Yngwie Malmsteen and Symphony X.  So let’s take a closer look at the line-up.  On vocals we have Mark Boals, who still has a great voice, and is currently, among other activities, the vocalist in Danish band Royal Hunt.
On bass we have Mike LePond, who played in numerous bands, but is probably most known for his work in Symphony X.  On drums we have Kenny (Rhino) Earl, who once played in Manowar and released the ‘Triumph Of Steel’ album with them.  And last, but not least, since he’s the founder of the band, on guitar we have Ango Chen.  I’d never heard of him before, but he’s from Taiwan, and has already collaborated with musicians like Mike Vescera (ex Yngwie Malmsteen etc.).

The opening track ‘Holy force’ immediately got my attention.  What a great guitarist Mr. Chen is.  Great Riffs, magnificent solo’s.  But he’s also able to play in what I would call a more subdued style, you just have to listen to ‘Breathing’, a song that features almost solely guitar, and which creates a strange, broody atmosphere.

What also is a trademark of this album is the drumwork. How one is able to keep up that rhythm is a mystery to me.  Poor feet….(ad arms of course).  The vocals by Mr. Boals are fantastic.  His style of singing, as well as the timbre of his voice, just suit this music perfectly.

The style of music they play is power metal, but with a bit of a melodic twist to it.  I have no idea who played the synths on this album, because it was not mentioned on the band information.  But they  are there, as well as piano, but in just the right amount I would say.

A very good debut album. I’m looking forward to more stuff of these guys.

95/100

Erik Morren.