BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART – Feel the Power
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 23-01-2012
Originating as a metal-core band with their first album, Canada’s Blessed By A Broken Heart have morphed into more of an 80’s larger than life traditional metal meets arena hard rock act with this third album “Feel The Power”. Which brings up huge warning signals in my brain regarding the true intent of the material on this 12 track outing. Are they chasing another trend with their speedy Dragonforce-like guitar squeals and Sonata Arctica keyboard runs through “Holdin’ Back For Nothing” and “Love Nightmare”? How will the band re-produce the multi-tracked, Def Leppard-ish choruses in songs like “Shut Up And Rock!” or “Scream It Like You Mean It”? The solos on “Innocent Blood” are over the top, and the occasional forceful screams still evoke their early metal-core times.
Rating this solely on entertainment value alone, “Feel The Power” could be a party record that parents and children alike might appreciate. At this point in their career, Blessed By A Broken Heart need to really figure out where they want to go with their style and shed their obvious influence points- I want to sincerely believe their heart and passion for traditional metal/arena hard rock is genuine, so I might need to hear the follow up to become a true believer.