GLORY THY NAME (E)

Divinefire are a collaboration of the Finnish multi-instrumentalist Jani Stefanovic - who, by the way, resembles Tom Englund (Evergrey) - and singer Christian Rivel (Narnia, Audiovision). Somewhat later bass player Andreas Olsson joined the band. Glory Thy Name is their debut album. Rivel’s vocals are powerful and impressive and they remind me of singer Thomas Rettke (Heaven’s Gate). The melodies are strong and catchy with lots of double bass-drums, heavy guitar riffs and many very nice orchestrations. Musically I would say that there are lots of influences from bands like Evergrey, but also Angra and perhaps Sonata Arctica. After the instrumental and classically orientated overture all hell breaks loose and only in the superb ballad Pay It Forward and the short last track The Way To Eternity the band holds back a little. Rivel uses his voice in many different ways: in the harmonies, grunts, clean singing and the choirs, so the mere spectrum of what this man is able to do, can be appreciated. The combination of classical, metal and some progressive influences make Glory Thy Name a worthwhile debut and leads to the conclusion that Divinefire’s first effort tastes for more. The production could be improved a bit in my opinion, but is fairly good.