Musical Style: Symphonic Power Metal	Produced By: Divinefire
Record Label: Rivel	Country Of Origin: Sweden & Finland
Year Released: 2005	Artist Website: Divinefire
Tracks: 9	Rating: 90%
Running Time: 42:41

Divinefire January of 2005 Rivel Records debut full length Glory Thy Name stands out in the symphonic power metal crowd with its emphasizing of melodic vocals and those on the extreme side.  Former attribute to Christian Liljegren, at the time sporting the last name Rivel and having recorded four albums of neo-classical power metal with Narnia and two in a melodic metal direction for side projects Wisdom Call and Audiovision, and latter brother Hubertus Liljegren (Crimson Moonlight).  Those similar to this reviewer and not a fan of extreme metal need not worry due to the fact any ‘growled’ vocals play a supporting role in limited to two songs, with those clean in a front and center position.

Divinefire otherwise represents the project of Rivel and Finnish multi-instrumentalist Jani Stefanovic (guitars, keyboards & drums), whose resume includes multiple albums with extreme metal acts Crimson Moonlight, Renascent and Sins Of Omission.  Rounding out the Divinefire roster is bassist Andreas Olsson (Narnia, Harmony & Wisdom Call).  With talented guest performers including vocalist Fredrik Sjöholm (Veni Domine), guitarists Torbjörn Weinesjö (Veni Domine), Carl Johan Grimmark (Narnia) and Pontus Norgren (Talisman) and narrator Eric Clayton (Saviour Machine), Divinefire is an ‘all star’ project of sorts.

Divinefire checks all the boxes as it pertains to symphonic power metal: assaultive double bass, classical keyboards, neo-classical soloing and turbulent rhythm guitar lending a darker edge.  Opening vocal cut “The World’s On Fire” stays true to such attributes.  Song speaks of the convulsive, detonating with its intensified timekeeping and tempestuous guitars but also imposing as elegant keyboards lend and adorning edge and Rivel’s regal classic tenor croon trades with Hubertus’ death growls.  Note that album begins to two-minute orchestral intro piece “From Death To Life” to feature Clayton narrating from Revelation 1:17-18. 

Follow up cut “Never Surrender” is one of albums finest.  It kicks in at once to a blistering tempo, speed based in capacity from racing through its august but contentious verse sections as glittering keyboards and impactful guitar assert the magisterial sentiments.  Energy multiplies for the breathtaking baritone harmony vocal driven refrain:

I will go never stop
I will go for the top
I will go never stop
I'll never surrender, never surrender

Instrumentally, impetus descends to a tasteful keyboard solo ahead of Norgren tearing it up on lead guitar.  Lyric snippet:

Here I am, I'm not alone
I fight until the end
I hear the sound, I see the flames
the battle has begun
Lead my life with mercy, Lord
I'm nothing without you
Teach me now to be a sign
I'm calling out your name

“The Sign” begins to a decelerated storm of orchestral keyboards ahead of taking off like a whirlwind.   With Stefanovic’s ever present double bass at hand, song plows forward as rhythm guitar lambastes to the forefront in propagating some of albums heavier moments.  Yet, a surprisingly melodic contrast reveals in the majestic refrain bleeding of classic signatures as Sjöholm recites from Psalm 23.

“Out Of The Darkness” represents a non-stop hook filled slugger.  It ups tempo further, powered by charged verses in which classical keyboards play a lifted role only to flatten for a distinguished refrain intertwined with lush vocal melodies of a Stryper like capacity.  This one embodies perfectly the Divinefire capacity for the melodic and extreme.  Lyric snippet:

I was out in the cold
I was searching for the answer
My life's a total mess
My race for fortune and fame
It was the total dream
And all I got was city stress

I want out of the darkness (Glory thy Name)
And into your light
Through fire and water (Open my eyes)
Please show me what's right

“Pay It Forward” is a compelling ballad in which lush orchestration and regal keyboards underpin infrequent crashing guitars, with the gist sublime, grandiose and pompous.  Grimmark’s charged lead guitar proves fittingly moving, while Rivel takes an even vocal approach.  Not to be unfair and keeping in mind “Pay It Forward” is fine on a stand-alone basis, but collectively it sounds miscast in a hard charging symphonic power metal environment.  The transition, for instance, from four straight bludgeoners to a ballad is abrupt, so perhaps the song might better fit on a Narnia album.

“Live My Life For You” returns to a high energy metal inclining.  Subsequent to a few seconds of keyboards to start and it is upbeat all the way, as hooks are non-stop, double kick drum adamant and tempo assured.  Lone complaint is that it can get repetitive from manner in which chorus repeats again-and-again-and-again (wash, rinse and repeat).  Lyric snippet:

You are the light
You're shining so bright
You are the reason I'm still alive

I'll live my life for the Holy One
The cross has set me free
Live my life for the Holy One

Album peaks with the ten-minute and two-part magnum opus “The Spirit”.  First part stays true to a symphonic power metal formula, sonorous as assaulting riffs and powering drums converge with a melodic (Rivel) and extreme (Hubertus) vocal trade off.  Gist is a worshipful partiality.  Second begins to an extensive instrumental run home to Grimmark’s expansive guitar leads ensued by a passage from John 14:13-18 covered by Sjöholm’s lower register vocals and Clayton’s narration.  A second instrumental run leads to a final verse and repeating of the immense refrain.  In my opinion, “The Spirit” is 2005 song of the year.  Lyric snippet:

God hear my call
You've been through it all
You are still alive
True spirit of love, true spirit of life

I want to serve and to love
Give me the wisdom, the Spirit of truth
Help me to see through it all
You are the Spirit, You light up my life

Closing Glory Thy Name is two-minute ‘outro’ piece to include Clayton narrating from John: 3: 16-17.

Glory Thy Name in my opinion might not encompass the best selection of songs on a Divinefire album, but it includes many of my favorites from the group in “The World’s On Fire”, “Never Surrender”, “The Sign” and “The Spirit”.  Rivel, Stefanovic and Olsson prove a heroic trio in establishing the mostly melodic but occasionally extreme Divinefire symphonic power metal sound.  The guest appearances (a Divinefire staple) not to mention choice production and dramatic cover art lend further value.  If you missed Glory Thy Name back in the day or a fan of power metal in its various forms, I encourage making the album a priority purchase.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: "From Death To Life" (1:49), "The World’s On Fire" (4:09), "Never Surrender" (6:03), "The Sign" (5:07), "Out Of The Darkness" (3:57), "Pay It Forward" (6:01), "Live My Life For You" (3:47), "The Spirit" (10:00), "The Way To Eternity" (1:44)

Musicians
Christian Rivel - Lead Vocals
Jani Stefanovic - Guitars, Keyboards, Drums & Programming
Andreas Olsson - Bass

Guest Appearances
Fredrik Sjoholm - Lead Vocals
Hubertus Liljegren - Growling Vocals
Torbjorn Weinesjo, Pontus Norgren & Carl Johan Grimmark - Guitars
Eric Clayton - Narration