Label: SPV/Steamhammer 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom
"The songs on this album are about Cybersteria, a world created by humans to control everyone. This artificial enviroment knows all our secrets. Cybersteria tries to enslave our minds and take control of our lives. Are we slaves to Powerworld? Listen and free your mind". Yep, it's defenitely a current topic considering the USA scandal as of lately and the way that goverments are watching us and every single move we make on the internet, via your iphone, etc. It's no longer a question of hysteria or the delusive rambling of a mad man. The George Orwell future is here. 1984 and big brother is reality and not a fantasy.
So now you know the story behind the concept album. What about the actual music? Wow! What a nice surprise. It's sort of progressive light vs. traditional eighties hardrock. Seventh Wonder goes Jaded Heart? Victory on a night out with the lads from Evergrey? It's a massive appreciation and approval anyhow and such a dramatic upgrade since their latest attempt at world domination. Vocalist Andrew McDermott sadly died the other year (RIP) and David Reece from Accept and Bangalore Choir etc, stepped in and out of the band before they found in permanent replacement in Michael Bormann (Jaded Heart).
In fact, most members are gone with the exception of band leader and main songwriter Ilker Ersin (Freedom Call). No biggie in my opinion especially since everything has improved big time. You have the impressive bluesy vocals by Bormann and the riffing of Andreas Rippelmeier (Heavenward) blending together in sort of perfect harmony. Bormann does his very best to be Coverdale on this record (what? didn't he sound like Bon Jovi in the past?) and the raspy tone send a shiver to your metal spine. There's a hint of proggy, Queenryche-ish, element to the band. Yet other straight forward eighties melodic rock tracks show that this band aren't afraid of diversity. It's very much the album effort without any major downers though. Highly recommended.
http://www.powerworld.org
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