AUDIOVISION – The Calling

Audiovision’s The Calling is yet another release from Rivel Records under the banner ”The Swedish Metal Explosion”. The band is fronted by singer Christian Rivel, recognized by many as the vocalist in Narnia and Divinefire. Christian Rivel is the man behind Rivel Records, and keeps himself busy these days with the promoting of several hard hitting Metal bands from Sweden (e.g., Mirador — read Metal Express’ review here).

Several well-known musicians have contributed on this album. Along with the band members Mikael Hoglund, who’s been involved with Thunder, and Thomas Broman, who’s played with Glenn Hughes and Electric Boys, other familiar names are to be spotted. There are guest appearances by Jeff Scott Soto, ex-Kiss member Bruce Kulick, and Europe’s own Mic Michaeli. Not bad!

The Calling contains some very powerful and Melodic Metal. The album is uneven, but its highlights are that it’s indisputably well-written and well-performed. The title track, “Show Me The Way,” and “Hold Me” are all great Metal pieces – heavy and edgy. The two most remarkable moments, however, are “The King Is Alive” and “Love Is Like Oxygen.” Audiovision conveys a Christian approach, and “The King Is Alive” is filled with pure praise of The King, Jesus. Let’s face it, to a lot of musicians in the Metal world the battle between good and evil as a theme in the lyrics is simply a question of gimmicks. Songs like “The King Is Alive” proves that some people are really putting a bit more into their faith than just an alibi for an image. In addition to this, “The King Is Alive” largely sounds like a tribute to one of the most important and influential Christian Hard Rock bands ever, Petra. This song indeed sounds a lot like something that could have been written and recorded by these veteran rockers!

Anyway, The Calling is full of references to classic moments of rock. The aforementioned “Love Is Like Oxygen” is a good example. Despite the Pop-ish chorus (albeit provokingly catchy), the song will conjure up references to both Pink Floyd and Queen … and when Mic Michaeli’s keyboard solo gets moving, no one could be blamed for sending warm tidings to Deep Purple’s Jon Lord.

Tracks like “The Rock Of My Soul” and “Face To Face” are too anonymous. Bruce Kulick’s lead guitar on the latter doesn’t do much to help. Mellow moments like in “Read Between The Lines” and the instrumental “Colors” also won’t set the world on fire. Still, Audiovision has made an album that provides a whole lot more good than harm … and God bless them for it.