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Reclamation

    
       
       
       
     
             
Eternal Ascent are a symphonic power metal band from the USA, founded by Mark Bellofatto (vocals, keyboards, drums), and Christian Rush (guitars, vocals) - the band completed by Nick Charlie on bass, for the release of the bands debut album 'Reclamation', which saw the light of day in 2022...    
             
...after two years of writing by the founding duo of Bellofatto and Rush. The bands sound is a blend of power metal, such as Helloween, progressive metal, such as Kamelot, and thrash metal, such as Megadeth. And with this blend, the band let rip over sixty minutes, with eleven heavy hitting songs, all coming to life with the two minute mellow and serene instrumental 'From Darkness', building an aura of intense anticipation for what is to follow. And what is to follow? A crushing cacophony of mid to high tempo soaring power metal, courtesy of 'March To The Light' - a highly melodic and energy driven gallop. And that soundscape sets the base on what this album is err, based! There are however, some unexpected surprises and twists - more on those as they unfold... And unfold they do straightaway, with harsh vocals appearing toward the end of 'March To The Light' - totally a bolt out of the blue and something not normally associated with power metal. The pace of 'Reclamation' (the album) suddenly becomes electric, with the red hot scorcher 'Blight Of Dragons' travelling at a speed that may just break the sound barrier! The blistering pace is phenomenal, the vocals powerful and bold, especially from guest singer Kristin Starkey, her incredible range adding a dramatic and emphatic edge to 'Blight Of Dragons', which makes for a perfect example of great symphonic power metal.    
             
And without a pause for breath, the album hurtles on with the heavier, but just as fast paced as its predecessor, 'Celestial Homeland'. Hitting the brakes as the vocals kick in, 'Celestial Homeland' becomes a mid tempo foot stomp, highly addictive and one hundred percent majestic. And again, the harsh vocals make a brief appearance - the differing vocal styles adding a different dimension to the bands sound. Just where will Eternal Ascent's aural avalanche strike next? To the realms of supersonic speed now - for at least the first minute or so of 'Being Human', before changing gears to become just fast, and not full throttle. The hard hitting nature of 'Being Human' makes it the hardest hitting of all the songs heard so far - the bands symphonic power metal roots coming to the fore. Taking on a more epic feel, 'The Lie' is a bombastic melodic monster. A power heavy Judas Priest like style rises to the surface, as one of the heaviest yet most melodic songs on offer dishes out a pounding that is wondrously savage. 'The Lie' is one of those songs that breaks down borders, appealing to fans of a wide number of metal genres.    
             
Back to the bands root sound, and 'Take To The Skies' is a galloping gourmet of symphonic power metal, featuring a guest guitar lead from Greek guitarist Kosta Vreto (Wardrum, Horizon's End). The pace, power, and sheer head bang ability of 'Take To The Skies' is off the charts, as are the levels of energy and pizzazz. Since the album began, the intensity has been breathless, every song infectious, catchy, and highly addictive. And keeping the pace and heaviness at very high levels, the band move swiftly on with 'Upon The Sands'. The ground shuddering nature of 'Upon The Sands' is overwhelming, with small buildings crumbling in the wake of the songs force - and the harsh vocals too make their menacing reappearance. With more twists and turns than the Mako roller coaster at Seaworld in Orlando, Florida, 'Reclamation' (the album) is a thrilling ride of fast paced entertainment!    
             
With three quarters of the album gone, time seems to be just slipping by - in my opinion, a sign of a very good album when you lose track of time. And this album is very good, even bordering on great - as Eternal Ascent power on with the scorching 'My Right Hand'. A much more "heavy metal" vocal style graces the album, as the levels of energy and intensity climb even higher! Just how is that possible! Surely there's a limit! Well someone should tell the band - and it ain't gonna be me. For I love the extremely high levels, producing adrenaline rushes and feelings of excitement. As far as I'm concerned - carry on Eternal Ascent, carry on. Clocking in at over eight minutes in length, 'Our Glory' is by far and away the longest song on the album, and is an epic in every senses of the word. Anticipation, tension, a climactic intro, and a majestic march - 'Our Glory' has it all. Not to mention the electric pace, the choir, the harsh vocals, and the traditional foot on the monitor gallop melded with the bands symphonic power metal roots. What a glorious end to a glorious album. What! It's not the end! There's one more - my bad... It is in fact the title song 'Reclamation' that brings the curtain down on a great journey of metal. And what an ending too! Fast paced and head bang-able to the max, 'Reclamation' (the song) maintains the albums highly energetic and majestic gallop.    
             
Overall, a blistering power metal romp, high on energy and intensity with an infectious level that has no limit.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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