- CURRENTLY RECOMMENDED METAL
- Reviews by Dr. Metal
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- AT VANCE – THE EVIL IN YOU
- 2003 AFM Records
OK, here’s the deal...I love this band and I was pissed to learn vocalist Oliver Hartmann left. In my opinion, he has a unique voice and this band was finally starting to gain some ground. Apparently, Oliver didn’t want to tour with the band. Basically, At Vance don’t do anything groundbreaking musically, but they create some excellent melodic Power Metal with neo-classical elements. These guys are just what I love to hear. So, they needed a new singer. Who did they choose? His name is Mats Leven...and he is a superb choice! You may have heard Mats sing on Yngwie Malmsteen’s best album, FACING THE ANIMAL. So, fitting well with Yngwie, it’s only appropriate that he fits so well in At Vance, who are heavily influenced by Yngwie’s music. The band hits the ground running, I swear. Mats’ voice sounds great. It is not quite as unique as Oliver’s was, but he is so close in style and range that he just fits right in. Amazing. Also joining the band is new bassist Sascha Feldmann, who replaces Jochen Schnur. The rest of the band is the same, with Jurgen Lucas on drums, Rainald Konig on rhythm guitar and leader Olaf Lenk on lead guitar and performing keys also this time. Keyboardist Ulli Muller has apparently left the band also.
The songs are superb, crisp, upbeat melodic Power Metal. Great vocals, guitars, drums and production. All of the songs are just really solid and enjoyable. I guess At Vance is somewhere between Stratovarius and Yngwie in sound. I like all the songs, but the standout tracks are “Fallen Angel,” “The Evil In You,” “Stronger Than You Think,” and my favorite “The Curtain Will Fall.” I also dig the ballad “Shining Star” and the final pulsing track on the album “Princess of Ice.” There are 11 tracks that last nearly 50 minutes. I got the limited edition (which was the same price) that includes a second disc with three songs that Oliver Hartmann recorded before he left the band. These songs are EXCELLENT and are as good (or better) than anything on THE EVIL IN YOU. The production is as good also. Make sure you get the limited edition because these 3 tracks are great! (Especially “Angel of The Dark.”)
The artwork and cover for THE EVIL IN YOU is killer. The cover being by the talented Thomas Ewerhard. Seems to be a Terminator-inspired cyborg. The photography and layout are excellent, by Dirk Schelpmeier and Nils Wasko respectively. Check this one out!
DISCOGRAPHY:
- NO ESCAPE (1999) Shark
- CENTERS-EARLY WORKS (2000) Shark
- HEART OF STEEL (2000) Shark
- DRAGONCHASER (2001) Shark
- ONLY HUMAN (2002) AFM
- THE EVIL IN YOU (2003) AFM
- Order the Limited Edition of THE EVIL IN YOU from The End Records. Only $13 and FREE shipping!
- Click here for the official AT VANCE homepage!
- CENTERS-EARLY WORKS (2000) Shark