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Ninth Circle: The Power of One
Ninth Circle: The Power of One
Melodic Heavy/Power Metal
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Independent/Self-Promotion
www.ninthcircle.us
www.myspace.de/ninthcircleworld
Review: Craig Hartranft, 12.21.2009
Invoking traditions from Iron Maiden to European cousins Stratovarius, Ninth Circle's The Power of One is a well-crafted and welcome slab of melodic power metal within my own borders. Ninth Circle is not reinventing the wheel or putting a modern spin on anything as the work is in the best tradition of classic melodic heavy and power metal. The Power of One is an album that builds with strength and stamina from the very first song, and gets better and better with repeated listens. Fundamentally, sound song composition is at a premuium because the arrangements allow the band members stretch and display their skills. The Power of One and Our Last Days are two of the best examples of this. I was additionally impressed with the vocal arrangements and especially Dennis Brown's precise and clear projection. At times he reminds me of Joakim Olsson of Swedish power metal band Supreme Majesty, without the slurred English, of course. In the end, however, the music of The Power of One is the most compelling. Though a few songs get a bit bogged down in repetition like Frontman, there is not a single bad piece on this album with Hour 21 and If It Bleeds being two more representative examples.
Despite the fact that Ninth Circle sent a CDR rather than the actual CD and booklet, this promising American metal band deserves attention simply because they present traditional American melodic heavy metal with tremendous skill for very entertaining results. Very recommended.
In Short
Ninth Circle and their latest The Power of One deserves attention simply because they present traditional American melodic heavy metal with tremendous skill for very entertaining and impressive results.
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