Musical Style: Symphonic Power Metal	Produced By: Divinefire
Record Label: Rivel	Country Of Origin: Sweden & Finland
Year Released: 2005	Artist Website: Divinefire
Tracks: 10	Rating: 85%
Running Time: 42:33

When Divinefire released its Rivel Records full-length debut Glory Thy Name in January of 2005, we praised its symphonic power metal styling in which it features (mostly) clean melodic vocals with those (occasionally) on the extreme side.  Sophomore effort Hero from November of the same year (also Rivel) traverses a similar musical course while staying true to the at times melodic and others extreme vocal penchant.  Common denominator between each album is the musical partnership of Swedish vocalist Christian Liljegren (at the time under the last name Rivel and having fronted four albums with melodic power metal act Narnia) and Finnish composer and multi-instrumentalist (drums, guitars, growls & keyboards) Jani Stefanovic, whom previously recorded albums with extreme metal acts Crimson Moonlight, Renascent and Sins Of Omission.

Bassist Andreas Olsson (Narnia, Harmony & Wisdom Call) rounds out the Divinefire lineup with guest musicians including guitarists Carl Johan Grimmark (Narnia), Patrik Gardberg (Ammotrack) and Plee, keyboardist Mikko Harkin (Sonata Arctica & Wingdom) and vocalist Thomas Vikstrom.

When placed alongside, I find Hero more consistent than Glory Thy Name in that from a continuity standpoint each of its songs in my opinion is on similar (i.e., very good) musical level.  However, Glory Thy Name, despite not being quite congruous in terms of track listing, reaches greater musical heights from standpoint of individual tracks, pinpointing how it includes many of my favorite Divinefire songs.  Either way Divinefire deserves a full measure of credit for the productivity allowing it to release two albums of near equal quality the same year! 

Hero picks up where Glory Thy Name leaves off with two-minute cinematic keyboard piece “Resurrection” with lyrics from John 11:25:

I am the resurrection and the life
He who believes in me
Will live even when he dies

Initial full-length vocal cut ensues in “Secret Weapon”, a hyper-accelerated exuding of double kick drum, glorious keyboards, expeditious hooks and periodic extreme vocals.  Rivel contrasts with his trademark at times crystal-clear and others soulful mid-ranged vocal style.  Grimmark bestows neo-classical soloing for the grandiose instrumental run.  Lyric snippet:

I lift my voice to the sky
You're my passion, my fire, my light
You are my shield
My secret weapon
I lift my hands to the sky
You're my passion, my fire, my light
You are my shield
My secret weapon

Groups signature cut “Divinefire” maintains the assertive leanings but in an added galloping format.  Opening seconds begin cautiously only to explode to a hasty joining of classical keyboards and strenuous drums, with the blistering form maintains for verse sections toughened by extreme growls and splendid refrain exuding of the near worshipful.  Gardberg and Plee contest on classical lead guitar instrumentally.  Lyric snippet:

Albums title track is another showstopper.  It decelerates slightly compared to the preceding two, still hitting hard with its concussive low end and full contact guitars but not backing from the entrancing inclination, indicating the winsome ‘you are the hero of my life’ refrain.  I can see Narnia doing something like this.  Lyric snippet:

You saved me, You guide me
I never understand your Love
You are the Hero of my life
You love, You see me
You are the Master of it all
You are the Hero of my live
The Hero of my life

I'm living in this world
The time is very closer
Closer to the end
But I know my heart

After three straight bludgeoners, album moves on to ballad “United As One”.  It features moments quiet and calm - placid orchestration underlines Rivel’s pristine voice - and others commanding but melodic, absorbing rhythm guitar powers to the forefront to reinforce the joyous acclimatization.  Impression is a borderline melodic metal meets hard rock eighties acumen.

Back to symphonic metal with “Leaving The Shadows”, a raring powerhouse in which Rivel’s high-end falsetto penchant is offset by periodic aggressive growls.  Upshot is a quintessential manifesting of the Divinefire melodic meets the extreme formula, uncovered in the dashing almost cheerful tempo - noting the effervescent refrain - and a powering side revealed in the cudgeling rhythm guitar and imperious keyboards.  Lyric snippet:

No more sorrow
No more tears
No more pain
Leave the shadows behind
No more sorrow
No more tears
My sins are forgiven
Salvation for mankind
I'm leaving the shadows behind

“Open Your Eyes” begins its first minute slow, moody and dream like with a cry repeating its title in pleading fashion.  Moving forward we are off, pressure gradually builds through the demolishing mid-paced verse sections only to explode for the earsplitting refrain backed by unvarying double bass.  Instrumentally, I love the lead guitar and keyboard duel between Gardberg and Harkin.

“New Beginning” rough houses from the get go, exuberant and carefree as velocity is of breakneck form but also sublime and pompous found in the classical keyboards and cinematic overtures throughout.  The vaulting refrain reaches for a borderline pop basis with its undeniable design.  Interestingly, a mid-point time signature to an extreme vocal compelled passage leads to a lone verse of a dainty spoken word configuring.  Lyric snippet:

Time to live
Enjoy your life
Hear the music from above
It's a new beginning
Time to live
Seize the day
See the future with new eyes
It's a new beginning

Instrumental “Cryptic Passages” is not a short filler instrumental but rather full length in establishing the adroit Divinefire musicianship.  Wondrous classical instrumentation to start speaks of the grand and regal, with the harmony driven riffs to ensue that on the swarthy side in leading through elevated moments with double kick drum, intricate soloing passages and those with a borderline thrash allure.  Not to nitpick, but I wish there were a lone verse or at least a spoken word passage allowing Rivel to participate.

Divinefire imparts a symphonic metal take to closing cover to the Queen classic “The Show Must Go On” (off Innuendo from 1991).  Keyboards stilly get things going, as Rivel shares lead vocal duties with front-lady Maria Radsten and classic tenor Thomas Vikstrom to lend a momentous clime, noting the distinguished refrain with gallant backing vocals.  Grimmark holds steady with his neo-classical guitar vestiges.

Once more Divinefire deserves credit for recording two strong albums the same year, noting the January of 2005 released debut Glory Thy Name.  The at times melodic and others extreme formula works, with Rivel’s soaring and soulful vocals and Stefanovic’s songwriting and multi-instrumental proclivity setting the sensational tone.  As with the debut, significant value realizes in the numerous guest appearances.  Fans of symphonic power metal or any combining of the melodic and extreme are encouraged to make either album a priority purchase.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Resurrection” (1:54), “Secret Weapon” (4:34), “Divinefire” (4:29), “Hero” (3:44), “United As One” (4:55), “Leaving The Shadows” (4:44), “Open Your Eyes” (4:22), “New Beginning” (4:19), “Cryptic Passages” (5:18), “The Show Must Go On” (4:09)

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

Guest Musicians
Carl Johan Grimmark, Patrik Gardberg & Plee - Guitars
Mikko Harkin - Keyboards
Thomas Vikstrom - Lead Vocals
Maria Radsten - Lead Vocals