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Stamina: System Of Power
Stamina System Of Power CD Album Review

Stamina: System Of Power

Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal
4.5/5.0

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Pride & Joy Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 12.02.2017

Formed better than 15 years ago by guitarist and songwriter Luca Sellitto, Italy's Stamina has had a promising and successful career. They've recorded three albums since 2007 and toured often, with a highlight in 2012 opening for prog metal masters Royal Hunt on their 20th anniversary tour. Stamina returns with their fourth studio album, System Of Power on Germany's Pride & Joy Music label.

Stamina Band Photo

Stamina

With this new album, I find Stamina taking a more aggressive approach to their melodic power metal. The riffs seem more assertive, the pace more brisk. While the previous Perseverance had some infusions of melodic hard rock, even some AOR nuances, the songs within System Of Power definitely turn more upon heavier power metal. Yet, even so neither melody and harmony (whether by guitar, synths or vocals), nor rhythm and groove, are sacrificed at the altar metal heaviness. Yet, he symphonic layer returns and remains, as within Why or One In A Million. Also, something of a musical signature to Stamina is the tandem playfulness between guitars and keyboards, with generous solos to be found between each, in most every song. Conversely, and perhaps a slight negative, with the more assertive musical approach, I found Alessandro Granato's voice to bit overcome by the music in the mix. He sings clean and strong, but just needs to rise above the powerful arrangements.

A little more about the songs then. Suffice it to say, they're all strong numbers emphasizing the aforementioned elements. Some heavier power metal comes with Must Be Blind, having some of the most aggressive riffage and rhythm section of all the songs. Another song, System Of Power, is also a power metal song, but one that fools you with its lighter start before ramping up both riffage and pace. Both songs have epic roaring guitar solos. Alternatively, Why has a significant symphonic start before the power metal gallop rips in. Curiously, it's the only song to have a slight guitar solo and no tandem synth solo. Two songs capture your attention by starting with pleasing drum work, Portrait Of Beauty and Love Was Never Meant To Be. The latter, at the start, finds the drum paired with something akin to an old school Hammond organ sound. Perhaps the only lighter and reserved song is Undergo. Something of anthem, it offers classical acoustic guitar at the start, then combined with light synths, and Granato's voice lighting above each. Eventually the arrangement rises in crescendo with bigger riffs, larger drums, swelling orchestration, and a huge guitar solo.

Altogether, Stamina's System Of Power is bigger, bolder, and more assertive with the push into heavier, yet still symphonic, melodic power metal. I think you'll like it. Easily recommended.

Stamina - One In A Million



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The Bottom Line

Altogether, Stamina's System Of Power is bigger, bolder, and more assertive with the push into heavier, yet still symphonic, melodic power metal. I think you'll like it. Easily recommended.

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