Circle II Circle – Consequence of Power

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Ex-Savatage singer Zak Stevens’ work-rate is relentless in recent years, alternating between Circle II Circle and Trans-Siberian Orchestra constantly, and aside from occasional guest appearances elsewhere there’s barely a point in the year when he’s not recording or touring with one of them. Consequence of Power is the band’s fifth album in a seven year period that has also included three EPs and several tours. Although still not quite as good as the band’s first two albums Watching In Silence and The Middle of Nowhere, after a couple of lacklustre releases in Delusions of Grandeur and Burden of Truth this record is a huge improvement and immediately leap-frogs those two in the pecking order. Those two albums suffered a similar problem to the last two Megadeth records, where all of the songs tried too hard to make a point and lost the basics somewhere along the way. Here, all the way through the album the songs are catchier, the lyrics less preachy, the riffs harder and the production crisper, while Stevens remains typically emotive. In short it’s a massive improvement and should form the basis to getting this band back on track. The impact of riffs like Out of Nowhere‘s, and chorus like those on the title track, Whispers In Vain and Redemption is immediate, and others like Episodes of Mania combine urgency, heaviness and hooks perfectly. Some of the riffs are meaner by virtue of being heavier than before, which does change the band’s sound a little, but breaks of lead guitar, or piano as in Anathema, provide snapshots of their Savatage heritage and tie in nicely to their previous albums, while Blood of An Angel emerges as one of their best ballads. There are no attempts to make their sound grander or more epic with this album, just 10 solid, well structured, catchy and hard-hitting songs, which is just what they needed. A superb return to form.

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2010, Albums, Power Metal, Quick.Play Reviews, Circle II Circle