Veonity - The Final Element
Genre: Power Metal -Sweden, as is known to all, is a super power in the world of power metal; from Lost Horizon to Hammerfall, and from Bloodbound to Sabaton. And while power metal has sure evolved in the last decade or one particular heir on the Swedish power metal scene has set out on the mission of bringing true power metal glory days back to the future. Their sixth album in just under a decade, Veonity’s The Final Element celebrates everything great about power metal, hearkening giants of old and blending newer influences. The Final Element continues and builds upon predecessor Elements of Power (2022), whilst blending in more elements from Legend of the Starborn (2018) as well as unapologetically bringing massive influences from Kai Hansen and Luca Turilli, and the like; Chains of Tyranny cracks open like the break of dawn, almost like a classic Rhapsody banger, bursting with energy and force. Crisp, melodic riffing and powerful vocals seal the deal.
Being as how former guitarist and vocalist Anders Sköld has decided to focus his musical endeavors solely on the axeman’s duties, for their sixth album Veonity have found it prudent to change things up. To this end they hired Isak Stenvall, formerly of Lancer, to handle the vocals. After five albums in front it's hard not to miss Sköld's mighty pipe, but Stenvall proves a powerhouse and fits right in. Honestly, I was dreading this whole new vocalist thing. Doesn't always turn out great, and I love Sköld's performance on the four albums he fronted. But hot dang, not only did they find the right match, they elevated because of it. Stenvall makes himself comfortable right away, and he's not short of being a bit cheesy when the cheese calls for it. From crispy trailblazer Chains of Tyranny to mighty, soaring The Fifth Element, Stenvall channels his inner power metal deity to bring feelings of Kiske, Lione and Cans as the music sees fit.
Another result of Sköld's embrace of the guitars is the full force of Veonity's twin guitar attack; the riffs throughout are great, the lead work phenomenal; Samuel Lundström and Sköld delivering blazing solos and soaring melodies. The Gamma Ray-esque feel of tracks like Kings of Dreamland and the hearkening of glory days in epic closer The Fifth Element, the duo unleashes a seemingly never ending stream of power. The Final Element might just be the finest album yet from Veonity; the one where it all comes together. It knows exactly what it wants and it gets it, no questions asked. In part a salute to power metal of yore, in part just... showing off... The Final Element reminds me of the phenomenal With the Magic of Windfyre Steel (2022) by Power Paladin; it’s hungry, unapologetic. It’s dynamic, electric and powerful, and it hearkens the legends of the genre and it does all this while still delivering fresh ideas and a sense of playfulness. When the titans on the scene are getting complacent, it’s up to the mighty Veonity bring back the fire, and they have answered the call.
Standout tracks: Chains of Tyranny, Carry On, Kings of Dreamland, The Fifth Element
