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Vanishing Point: Distant Is The Sun
Vanishing Point Distant Is The Sun CD Album Review

Vanishing Point: Distant Is The Sun

Melodic/Progressive/Power Metal
5.0/5.0

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AFM Records
by Craig Hartranft,  26.02.2014

To think Aussie band Vanishing Point had disappeared, vanished into thin air as were. Actually, they were likely laying low in the Australia outback conjuring up, perhaps, their best album to date during a lengthy walkabout. While they've had a more than a few personnel changes over the last seven years, which probably accounts for the album drought, the core of the band remains Silvio Massaro (vocals) and Chris Porcianko (guitars).

Vanishing Point Distant Is The Sun Band Photo

Vanishing Point: out of focus.

What also remains essential to Vanishing Point is melodic progressive power metal, and some listeners might find the progressive side a bit more elaborate than past albums. But, no worries, this is not math metal, either. What it is is quite grand and expansive music. Between the riffage and they symphonic synths, VP has built a huge wall of sound to challenge the most ambitious symphonic metal band or cinema metal band like Rhapsody of Fire. Pack this with strong melodies and Massaro's soaring vocal arrangements, and a song like Story of Misery, Denied Deliverance, or Distant Is The Sun become entertaining melodic metal devastation.

Another compelling characteristic includes Porcianko's skillful and often breathtaking solos, which riddle this album completely. As it should because he composed every song for Distant Is The Sun on his own. Which might also explain the moments of delicate and beautiful piano in many songs like the title track, Handful of Hope, Story of Misery or Let the River Run. It appears, according to his bio, that Porcianko likes to compose, for personal reflection, music that is “classical, instrumental, atmospheric piano work.” This then also explains much of the tenor of Distant Is The Sun, especially on Handful of Hope or Story of Misery, if not, definitely, the closing instrumental, April, an exquisite mixture of guitar and symphonic synths. Bottom line: Vanishing Point's Distant Is The Sun is premium melodic progressive power metal, and quite recommended.


Vanishing Point - When Truth Lies (Official)





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In Short

Bottom line: Vanishing Point's Distant Is The Sun is premium melodic progressive power metal, and quite recommended.

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