REVIEW: RISING FAITH – The Arrival

 

RISING FAITH – The Arrival

Limb Music

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What I love about the power metal sound is its ability to seamlessly integrate various musical elements from other rock and metal genres without ever losing its intrinsic sense of melody. This unique quality allows power metal to offer a rich variety of listening experiences and evoke a wide range of emotions. Personally, it is the genre I hold dearest, alongside classic heavy metal.

One band that particularly exemplifies these qualities is the Swedish group RISING FAITH. Formed in 1998, they had a brief but impactful career, releasing a demo titled "Demo 99," an EP called "Imagination" in 2000, and their debut album "The Arrival" in 2003.

It's this debut album, "The Arrival," that I want to highlight. From the moment I first heard it several years ago, it has consistently left me with the same uplifting impressions. Despite their Swedish origins, RISING FAITH is not the typical melodic power metal band we often associate with that country (not that there's anything wrong with that). From the opening notes of the album, it's clear that their music is a distinctive blend, featuring strong thrash and speed metal elements reminiscent of early METALLICA and ANNIHILATOR. The track "Rage," for example, includes passages that strongly evoke these Canadian thrash legends.

Moreover, RISING FAITH doesn't shy away from classic metal influences. The track "Imaginations" showcases this perfectly, with influences from ACCEPT that are unmistakably clear, and its melodic hooks are irresistibly catchy. This album beautifully enriches the European power metal sound with thrash and heavy metal in a harmonious, creative, and imaginative manner. If HELSTAR and SAVAGE GRACE were Europeans, they might sound something like this. Additionally, the album reminds me of early works by MANTICORA.

Overall, "The Arrival" is a work characterized by its distinctive personality and inspiration. Crafted with passion, dedication, and a deep love for the genre it represents, it’s a true gem. It's genuinely a shame that RISING FAITH didn't continue their journey, as their music had so much to offer.

Νικόλαος Παραστατίδης