This is the latest E.P. from Power Symphony and even though it was released last year, I recently discovered that it had been overlooked here at Metal Reviews. Power Symphony consists of Michele D'Orlando, vocals, lyricist and principle songwriter, Marco Cecconi, guitars, Mauro De Brasi, drums, Daniele Viola, bass and Nicole Conte, additional guitars. They actually got their start in 1994 and were founded by both Michele D'Orlando and Marco Cecconi. Their first 5-song demo tape, recorded in 1995, got a great response and they sold all 500 copies that were printed. In 1996 - 97, the band changed it's style a little, adding elements of Doom metal as well as celtic and folk influences. In 1997, they recorded a 5 song promo that got them a record deal with Northwind Records and subsequently released their first full length album called Evillot. In 1999, the band signed with Pavement Music and released Lightbringer in 2000 with production assistance from Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning, Seven Witches). This album received a very positive response and the band's popularity started to grow. In 2001, they parted ways with Pavement Music and started their own production label, Evillot Records. This E.P., Futurepast, is the first release on the new label.

This E.P. contains two new tracks, Nine Moons and Infinite Machine as well as 2 songs from their 1995 demo, Army Of Saints and Mother Moon (both re-mastered) and an interesting cover of Blood Of My Enemies, a classic Manowar tune. Any Nightwish or Edenbridge comparisons due to the female vocals are warranted but giving that the band started in 1994, I'm sure similarities are not intentional at all. Power Symphony, besides having a more harder edge to their sound, uses slightly more aggressive female vocals and a more True Metal sound than Nightwish. Nine Moons starts with some nice big thick riffs mixed with quieter passages, all made complete by the voice of Michele D'Orlando. The song mixes up the tempos quite nicely and uses some great thematic riffing styles and instrumental breaks to produce an excellent and well-arranged song. The voice of Michele D'Orlando gives the band it's celtic or folk flavor in that it's her vocal delivery style and tone, not the music that gives the band these "flavors" to their music. Infinite Machine begins with some very heavy stop/start rhythms leading into a more fast paced, thick power chord True Metal sound that has similarities to Hammerfall. This track again has the celtic influenced voice but is also more abstract and ethereal sounding. The Manowar cover, Blood Of My Enemies is pretty faithful to the original track and still has the typical "epic' feel and it's interesting to hear a track like this with a female voice. Make no mistake though, this is not a flat, watered down version....it rocks!

The final 2 tracks on this release, as previously mentioned, are re-mastered versions of tracks from their 1995 demo recording. The first one, Army Of Steel has a poor and almost "distant" sounding production with Michele's voice sounding more like a young Geoff Tate on Queensryche's first album/E.P. from 1983. Galloping rhythms, again with a True Metal touch dominate this track. The vocals are certainly weaker on these tracks but overall, the band sounds tight with some great lead guitar playing. It's cool to see the evolution of a band from their very early recordings until now. Mother Moon begins with some quiet guitar arpeggios with some nice lead overdubs and is very much a power ballad style in structure. Some great vocal harmonies and alternating, fast and slow tempos give the song diversity. This CD also contains a CD ROM track that features lyrics, video as well as lots of images and photos.

The band is currently working on their new album, their third full length, and is tentatively titled Mother Darkness. Meanwhile, this release is something the fans can appreciate until the new material comes out. Futurepast is pretty much for serious fans only and although is a decent package, isn't indicative of what this band's really like. If the 2 new tracks on this release are any indication of the musical direction the band is taking, the new album should be a good one! Meanwhile, check out Lightbringer or wait for the new one to come out. A solid band and also a very unique one as well.