“Avaton” is the third studio work by the Greek heavy/power metal band Divine, which was founded in 2011. The new album was released four years after “Realms of Time” with a completely different lineup. Only the vocalist, songwriter and founding member Yiannis Papanikolaou is left from the original line-up… the new members are Lefteris Moros on drums, Teo Ross on guitars, Alex Flouros on guitars and George Nidriotis on bass. It could be said that this marks a new era for the band on every level… and that wouldn’t be far from the truth.
The band stays true to their heavy/power metal roots, but the compositions are more harmonized and balanced on all levels this time. The lyrics deal with a wide range of themes, including history, mythology, and fantasy. The melodies are amazing, the sharp & heavy, the leads are superb, the drums are massive, and the bass is punchy. Moreover, the keys, whenever they are used, create an atmospheric and epic feel. Yiannis has a powerful and versatile voice, which he uses to great advantage. He can effortlessly soar to high notes while also delivering strong raspy vocals. The production is full, dynamic, and clean, with a contemporary feel. The album was engineered, mixed & produced by Fotis Benardo (Septicflesh, SixforNine, Sakis Tolis, Acid Death, Fortress Under Siege, etc.) at DevasoundZ Studios, Athens, Greece and mastered by George Nerantzis (Pain of Salvation, Gus G., Abbath, Nightrage, etc.).
There are numerous great songs on “Avaton”, however my personal picks include “Mountains High”, “Dancing in the Fire”, “Cyberwar”, “Waste No Time”, “Hope Will Rise”, “Dominator”, “Hall of the Brave” and the epic “The Battle of Marathon” (a tribute to the iconic Greek victory against the Persian invaders, with the use of folk Greek instruments). The CD bonus track “Dead New World” is also really good.
“Avaton” showcases the band’s musical prowess and unwavering dedication to creating grand and melodic songs that encapsulate the very essence of heavy/power metal. This is without a doubt the band’s most mature and complete work to date. “Avaton” is essential for fans of epic heavy/power metal!
