The future of Leverage seemed to be in doubt after the sad passing of singer Kimmo Blom in summer 2022, but founding songwriter and founding member Tuomas Heikkinen decided that the end of the band was not in sight yet. Palo Ribaldini (Delain,Ex Skiltron) and Lotta-Maria Heiskanen were brought in with the task of renewing and refreshing the band's sound. This is their sixth studio album in less than 20 years with their debut album “Tides” released in 2007,followed by “Blind Fire” 2008,”Circus Colossus” 2009,in 2019 the darker tones of “Determinus”and in 2021 “Above The Beyond” .This is the bands mark 3 line up with the Leverage DNA carved deep into this new album.

“Shooting Star” with a short speaking intro has a darkening feel and presence about it,with heavy passages with the orchestral touches giving the track an epic feel which for an album opener I found to be a little bit over indulgent & intense to start with.Track two “Tales Of The Night” is a mid tempo track which I found to be an improvement on the former track with some female vocals & harmonies,with the orchestral touches gaining momentum as I get further into the track,with some well polished guitar work & harmonic chorus.”Hellbound Train” is a fine example of symphonic metal with a fast tempo and full of heavy energy,Palo Ribaldini flexes his vocal muscles,showcasing his vocal talent in between the blazing guitar battles,definitely also a showcase of the Leverage musical new direction

”Moon Of Madness” opening with galloping guitar riffs blended with some swirling keyboards, with some deep bass rhythm with a nice violin solo mid track which is a powerful track,followed by “Eliza” which is an epic track which is like an operatic rock track with the perfect blend of heavy guitar riffs and rhythm which is mixed perfectly with orchestral touches and dramatic vocals with a lighter moment mid track,which has a folk/celtic pop vibe to end this great track,with “All Seeing Eye” the violin featuring heavily to give the track a folk metal feel.”King Ghidorah” is another fast & furious track with that power metal feel,aggressive pounding drums,fast melodies and guitar riffs,with dramatic vocals & harmonies.”Gravity” the title track brings the album to a conclusion,the longest track on the album at just under 10 minutes long with a violin & vocal introduction which builds with a mixture of orchestral overtones and guitar touches taking the track up to a different level,the track flows with an interlude similar to the start of the track,before building to a epic powerful finale full of splendid vocals and guitar runs & solos a superb ending to the final track.

“Gravity” did grow on me after a few listens,it did take some time to get into it with some tracks.But on the whole the album is a solid release with some great musicianship and production.There is some very interesting melodies & sounds, with the dramatic orchestral and violin touches which give that undeniable Leverage trademark sound with some fresh inputs of new musical and vocal direction. A highly recommended listen