Power/Progressive Metal band REVOLTONS formed in 1991 in Italy. It was eleven long years before their debut album was released and the fact that they survived for so long with the original two members is impressive. Over the past three years, the band has three new members, and are ready for their latest album, titled "Celestial Violence," which has 12 songs. "2020 Alternative" is the first, a short intro number, with beautiful clean guitars and vocals. "Escape or Drown" has a raucous energy from the main riff, and plenty of bottom end heaviness. It has an AOR type catchiness to it, but I don't hear a lot of Power or Progressive elements. In any case, the dual lead guitar work is pretty solid, and the singer has a really strong voice.

"The Darkfall" begins with slow, meaty bass notes before the main riff kicks in. It's a mid-tempo rocker with a heavy bottom end. I'm not entirely sold on the harsh vocals, however, nor some of the odd chord changes. "Nany John Skennnon" is probably a story of someone. It's a tender tale of longing where harmonized vocals and positive chords ring as much as negative ones. Here is where some of the Power Metal elements come in. "The Game" is another short song, connecting the first half of the album with the second. It has charming guitars and harmonized vocals. "Reality is a Crime" has a chunky riff and a mid-tempo pace, and snarly vocals. But again, some of the chord progressions don't make a lot of sense and take away from the melody.

"Spiritual Monster" is another mid-tempo song that begins to weigh down the album. Too many of these song with this pace can make for a forgettable listening experience. "Cosmic Disabled" is a little faster moving with a fairly creative riff that the band just lays on for a while. But again, dissonant chord progressions have me scratching my head. Follow the melody line...let it ride, instead of all the twists and turns, that's my critique. The short "Violentia Patris Caelestis" closes the album, and its tender tones seem to reflect what the band does best. I wish the band much success. But this album didn't do much for me. Although they are talented, their songwriting needs work. There were too many melodies that failed to connect.