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Leverage: Determinus

Melodic Metal Rock

5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 17.04.2019 | Released: 26.04.2019

Some 12 years ago, when Dangerdog Music Reviews was only wishful thinking on my part and fledgling review site, a Finnish band was the first to send me an actual CD to review. That band was Leverage, and the CD was their four song EP, Follow Down That River. Inside was a thank you and autograph! To this day and when DMR is retired, I will always remember Leverage and how they gave my first efforts a much needed boost.

But what about Leverage? After the EP, they dropped a few more albums, only to drop off the radar. Now, after a 10 year absence, the band is back with their fourth album, Determinus, featuring new lead singer Kimmo Blom.

Leverage

To refresh our collective memories, Leverage plays classic rock. Basically, their sound is Scandi melodic heavy metal rock, featuring twin guitars, a robust rhythm section, a layer of synths, and melodic clean vocals. But those traits are only the fundamental foundation of their sound. With songs such as Burn Love Bun and the heavier Tiger, you'll the presence and strength of symphonic synths. Lighter symphonic synths blend with lighter guitar within Red Moon Over Sonora, eventually rising to melodic heavy metal. With Wind Of Morrigan, Leverage adds some pleasant folk nuances to the arrangement.

Alternatively, the band can push the envelope to some straight melodic heavy metal with Mephistocrate or Afterworld's Disciple, yet with a strong measure of rock groove. Heavy metal rock also informs Hand Of God and Rollerball. The former offers a quickened pace, the latter twisted with a mellow vocal breakdown leading to a fine guitar solo. But guitar solos are impressive throughout with some ripping good lines within the ballad When We Were Young and the metal rocker Heaven's No Place For Us. The bottom line is simple. Leverage's Determinus is a welcome and fine return to form for the Finnish band, an album filled with entertaining melodic metal rock. Easily recommended.

Fortune: II

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

5.0/5.0

Formed by Fortune brothers Richard (guitar) and Mick (drums) better than 40 years ago, their namesake band has the interesting, but not totally uncommon ... [ Read More ]

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Leverage's Determinus is a welcome and fine return to form for the Finnish band, an album filled with entertaining melodic metal rock. Easily recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]