Wow! That's all I could say after I heard the title track off the new At Vance album. A Mats Levén in superb condition on vocals, the mighty guitars of mastermind and band leader Olaf Lenk, the tight and powerful rhythm section: one would be appetized to hear the whole album for less than this.
"Chained" is the originally German melodic metal band's sixth effort and the second one with Swedish legend Mats Levén (Yngwie Malmsteen a.o.), who replaced Oliver Hartmann (Hartmann, Magic Kingdom, Iron Mask) after the release of "Only Human" in 2002, on vocals. At Vance are one of those bands that seem to get better with each recording and I must say - even if the progress is not spectacular - it's no different this time. This is quite remarkable when you know another bunch of line-up changes have taken place. Guitarist Rainald König, bass player Sascha Feldmann and drummer Jürgen Lucas all said the band goodbye. Lenk decided not to fill the vacant second guitarist spot and composed a new rhythm section using two experienced replacements: ex-Gallows Pole string puller John ABC Smith and skinsman Mark Cross, formerly of Metalium and Helloween fame.
Those familiar with the latest couple of At Vance albums, will not be surprised by the high quality melodic metal on "Chained". Fast songs like opener "Rise From The Fall" and "Run/Leave", calmer almost AOR-like cuts like "Heaven" and "Two Hearts", neo-classical instrumentals ("Invention #13", "Vivaldi Winter") and powerful mid-paced headshakers as the aforementioned title track and "Live For The Sacred" take turns in taking the lead on this disc, which consequently has a whole lot of variety on offer. With no fillers to be found and a 100% accurate and powerful production, "Chained" is a top release in its genre. Not to be missed! (SL)
 

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Beikes (on 15/11/06) Great soundproduction, and great songwriting combined with very good musicians. This is a brilliant album by AT VANCE, but as Pompy said...somethings missing here. Very similar in style to MASTERPLAN etc. And maybe that's it? Compared to the masters of the genre, the songs just aren't as catchy or well-composed as they should be. But overall it's a very good album, and in my opinion, the best from the band since their debut. Three songs shorter, and it would have earned a better rating from me.   Modulator (on 5/07/06) Without a doubt - this is THE BEST At Vance album!   Gordy (on 21/05/05) I like this, but I get the feeling Mats Leven is trying to sound less like the Mats Leven of old? I dunno, maybe I'm imaging it. The track Heaven is just superb. Thats the kind of stuff I would like to hear more of in the future.   VaDeR (on 29/04/05) Nice record, but somehow I can' t get into it. As AORPOMPY already said, I keep missing some stuff I liked on some older albums of the band. note: I think it' s the vocals, as mr leven sounds a bit forced and has some annoying edges in his way of singing. Somehow he tries to sing "too english"   AORPOMPY (on 28/04/05) This is a good, solid release, but I don't know, something's missing here. Don't know what exactly, but although ist's very good, it's not a top release IMO ! Have to listen more to it, I think.   GlenRavine (on 25/04/05) I enjoyed this DISC - vocals are superb but I was hoping more a melodic metal hook. Not bad.   shadowgallery (on 23/04/05) A boring record because of a total lack of creativity! Very predictable and uninspired songs!   astonbob (on 23/04/05) Already two great reviews......so, just wanna say...great melodic album.   AOR Ive (on 23/04/05) I mostly agree with Stijn , but I think At Vance was already a brilliant band since their debut offering . Since then they only released great albums and the change of a lead vocalist didn't do them no harm either , because Mats Leven is also a world class vocalist , just a Oliver Hartmann was . I personaly think "Only human" was their strongest album untill now ( it was also my favorite album of 2002 ) , but this one comes very close and the balance between fast paced rock songs and midtempo melodic rock songs is perfect . So as a conclusion I can say that one of the best melodic hardrock bands of the last 5 years has released another cracker .

 

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