• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

There can never be too much good "happy" Power Metal in my world so I was pleased to get Dispelling the Veil of Illusions, the second album from Italy's 4th Dimension, in my inbox. When you see the term "happy" Power Metal, your first thought should be Italy, and 4th Dimension fit the image you have in your head to a tee; high vocals, flowing keyboards, saccharine-sweet melodies and double-kick drums. Song titles like "Kingdom of Thyne Illusions" and "Dissonant Hearts" should further cement that image. For the most part, 4th Dimension adheres to the Italian school of Power Metal, but they also look to their brethren from the north (Finland, that is) for some of their inspiration. "A Circle in the Ice" has a definite Sonata Arctica feel while "Kingdom of Thyne Illusions" would have fit on Silence without any effort (just listen to the opening keyboard run and tell me I'm wrong). Dispelling the Veil of Illusions is generic and derivative, to be sure, but the songwriting is above average, along with the playing, and the hooks are undeniable. The album starts to drag toward the end and it sounds like the band ran out of really good ideas and had to settle for OK ones on "White Logic" and "Dissonant Hearts." The overall sound of Dispelling the Veil of Illusions is rather sterile and could use a bit of warmth, but is otherwise clean and clear.

If Power Metal isn't your thing, 4th Dimension isn't going to change your opinion one bit, but if you like Sonata Arctica, Heavenly, Kaledon, etc. Dispelling the Veil of Illusions is worth looking into.