Heavenly - Carpe Diem

February 12, 2010

Reviewer: Peter

The French power metal band Heavenly has been around for awhile.  However, they have largely been under the radar since their inception back in 1994.  With fellow countrymen Fairyland taking the lead in that country’s power metal scene, Heavenly is behind in terms of recognition in their own country.  Now, with a new album in Carpe Diem, Heavenly is ready to do just as the album title implies: seize the day, and with some luck, gain some recognition in the process.

Even before the music begins, the listener will likely take a peek at the album cover for Carpe Diem, which should at the very least arouse some curiosity.  Getting to the music, it begins with the title track, which is a good start, aside from around the 4:07 mark, when it goes into a few seconds of the “half-powered amp” mode.  It is on the ballad “Farewell” that things get a little over the top, with vocalist Benjamin Sotto trying to hit the high notes to fairly modest success, and the music trying its Queen impression, and falling short.  Granted, Heavenly does have some talent, but on this song, it just doesn’t work as well as it does when they do things a little more straightforwardly.  Thankfully, they get back to the metal with “Fullmoon,” where Sotto doesn’t strain to hit the highest notes.  The group singing on the album can sound over the top at times, but it also adds a grand feel to the album.  “A Better Me” is actually a fun little song that combines the style of ballad that they should have tried on “Farewell” and the epic sound from their usual fare into something that works well.  That momentum seems to carry Heavenly forward, as the next track “Ashen Paradise” ratchets up the epic factor, with more spot-on group singing and guitar solos that display the band’s musicianship.  The real highlight of the album is “Ode to Joy,” which is the band at their very best in terms of grandiosity and musicianship.  However, at the end of the album, the question that will likely be asked is, “What just happened?” because for all of the flash on the album, there just simply isn’t enough substance to truly get into the album after two or three listens.  Sotto’s vocals are good when they are closer to normal range, but when he tries to hit the highest notes, as is most evident on “Farewell,” the results can be pretty disastrous.

Overall, Carpe Diem is what you would expect from a power metal band, complete with their over the top moments.  There are some rather uneven moments from Heavenly, as the first half seems kind of okay, while the second half of the album actually shines.  Carpe Diem is not for those who seek immediate gratification or those who just simply cannot get into power metal.  Patience is definitely something to have in bunches if one is to get into the new Heavenly album.

Release Date: December 18, 2009
Label: AFM Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Carpe Diem
2.  Lost in Your Eyes
3.  Farewell
4.  Fullmoon
5.  A Better Me
6.  Ashen Paradise
7.  The Face of the Truth
8.  Ode to Joy
9.  Save Our Souls

Total playing time:  45:15

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