POWERS COURT - Nine Kinds Of Hell
March 10, 2002, 22 years ago
(Dragonheart/SPV)
A power metal trio fronted by a woman and hailing from the USA? No, you're not hallucinating! The talented mastermind behind this haunting release is Danie Powers who apart from handling vocals and guitars, also plays mandolin and keys. She also wrote the music and the lyrics for this conceptual CD. If that wasn't enough to pick your curiosity, Danie successfully uses her voice in different registers using an approach similar in style to King Diamond. Not impressed yet? She's also quite the axewoman, her playing being strongly inspired by Andy Larocque and the late Criss Oliva. Recording a concept about hell is obviously nothing new in metal these days, but when done this skillfully and orchestrated by a woman, then it's bound to garner metalhead attention. Firmly planted in power metal fare with some obvious thrash metal influences thrown in the mix and some tasteful acoustic guitar passages, Nine Kinds Of Hell has something to offer to the most discerning power metal fan, highlights being 'The Tragedy Of Faust', 'Conquistador', 'Tanzania' and a special mention goes to track eight 'House Of Sorrow' for being the true gem of this striking digipak release.
