J-Man
Cleansed by Fire
Power metal is one of those hit-and-miss genres for me. Though there are tons of great bands in the genre, it seems that these good bands represent a single drop of water in a sea of cheesy clone bands. Powerworld is one of the few modern power metal bands who doesn't completely tip my "cheese factor" scale, and that's a plus in my book. Although Powerworld isn't an incredibly original band, this supergroup really created a great album with Human Parasite. There are memorable hooks, soaring vocals, and intricate musicianship that keep me coming back for more.
One of the best things about Human Parasite is the incredible vocals from Andrew "Mac" McDermott. You probably recognize that name as the ex-lead singer from the British prog metal legend, Threshold. He hasn't been active musically since his 2007 departure from the band, so this is basically his return to the metal scene. His distinct and powerful vocals are terrific, and it's great to hear his voice again. Of course, we also shouldn't forget the fact that Powerworld contains other high-profile power metal musicians from bands like Freedom Call, At Vance, Jaded Heart, Victory, or Evidence One either. As such, the musicianship is very professional and high-quality on Human Parasite.
The album is almost 55 minutes, and it doesn't tire once. Every song is memorable and highly enjoyable, though my favorite is probably the opening number, Cleansed by Fire. I also really like Stand Up, East Comes to West, King for a Day, and Time Will Change as well. This is a very consistent album, and every track is well worth your time and money.
The production is really good. It's powerful, and packs a punch to fully execute Powerworld's sound. It may sound a bit too "cheesy" for some, but I personally love it.
Conclusion:
Human Parasite is a terrific album by Powerworld. It's great to hear "Mac" at the front of a band again, and Powerworld seems to be a perfect match for him. It's rare that I hear a modern power metal album that actually blows me away, so in that respect Human Parasite is a truly unique and special release. I'll rate Human Parasite with shiny 4 stars. If you like modern power metal (or don't), Human Parasite is a highly recommendable album.