Michael Vescera – A Sign of Things To Come

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Metal Heaven
Produced by Michael Vescera

Vescera’s progression from 18-year-old Obsession vocalist to Loudness, then Yngwie Malmsteen singer is well known. This represents his first bona fide solo album following the three albums he made with the Michael Vescera Project.

And joining Vescera is a wealth of metal talent ranging from his former Obsession band-mates Chris McCarvill (bass, also XFactorX) and Jay Mezias (drums), to House of Lords‘ Jim Bell (guitar) and BJ Zampa (drums), former Malmsteen/Ark keyboardist Mats Olausson, XFactorX’s John Bruno (guitar) and Tony Mei (drums), original XFactorX drummer Toddy Kennedy and two young, unknown guitar discoveries in Joey Concepcion and Ango Tasso.

Throughout the course of the album Vescera covers the complete spectrum of power and melodic metal from Iced Earth (the choruses of opener Between Heaven And Hell), to Area 54 (I’ve Seen The Light, and not just for the similar song title), via Ring of Fire (Sign of Things To Come) and Jorn (Shine On). There’s even a bit of Rainbow-esque medieval-feel melody in Something To Believe.

Michael’s voice is as on the nail as ever, and for those unfamiliar it’s like a mixture of Mark Boals, Rob Rock and Jorn Lande. Perhaps with a bit of Russell Allen or Apollo Papathanasio as well. Unfortunately this is too many similarities to others and it has the rather unsurprising effect of making the album sound like a collection of other peoples songs. Sometimes the similarities are so close it’s possible to hear other songs by other bands while listening, which is unfortunate given the quality of players on show.

Hence the lower than expected rating. Everything is played perfectly and Vescera’s vocals are superb throughout, but everything sounds like someone else. Nevertheless, although marks have been deducted for a lack of originality, fans of Michael’s previous works, and artists like Rob Rock and Ring of Fire etc. will find plenty to enjoy here. The various guitarist’s shredding solos most of all.

“ too many similarities ”

Tracklist: Between Heaven And Hell / Sign of Things To Come / Shine On / Something To Believe / Crossing The Line / Hands of Fate / I’ve Seen The Light / Make Your Move / (When You’re) Cryin’ / Say The Word / Pain / Thrill of It All

Written by Andy Lye
More: Albums, Power Metal, Michael Vescera