DIVINER: Avaton
Divine Metal
Back with an entirely new line-up (other than singer/songwriter Yiannis Papanikolaou), Avaton represents the band’s 3rd release since their 2015 debut Fallen Empires. The power metal meets classic metal formula (Accept/Primal Fear/Helloween/HammerFall) remains largely unaltered – the voice of Papanikolaou (Dio/Halford) imparting Diviner’s signature identity. All the Diviner releases to date (Fallen Empires and Realms of Time (2019)) have been wonderfully recorded and mixed so there is no drop in quality in that parameter on this one.
However, there is a diversity and strength to the songwriting on Avaton which might just put it a step ahead of its predecessors. Also, this group of musicians have crafted songs which flow effortlessly – nice melodies, clean guitar riffs, fluid solos, nice dynamic contrast and a good balance between straight-up power beats and speed in the drumming. The end result is an album which stands up well to repeated play – after 7 or 8 listens through the songs remain engaging, impactful and inspiring.
The Songs
The opening title track “Avaton” is an acoustic guitar instrumental which flows nicely into one of the most inspiring tracks “Mountains High,” a song which immediately puts to rest any concerns about the line-up changes causing a letdown in the quality.
“Cyberwar” is a highlight musically, the lyrics poignant and full of truth yet visiting a concept that has been somewhat over-visited by bands in recent years. Still a really good metal anthem.
In contrast, I love the chorus section to “Waste No Time” – incredibly catchy – and the timeless message of “live life today with purpose and focus and don’t dwell on what can’t be changed.”
“Nemecic” (Nemesis) is killer, one of the more diverse songs here with yet another incredibly infectious chorus:
“Raging fire and thunder comes to burn your soul/Death for the repentless… Nemesis will fall”
The mix of drum rhythms, multiple guitar melodies and leads, the dynamic contrast, along with those metal chants, makes this one of the more enduring songs I’ve heard from Diviner. Love the gentle outro… Brilliant.
One of the brightest and most inspiring songs would be the up-tempo “Hope Will Rise” which exhorts to find the truth and stand firm in the storm. Sage advice, indeed!
“In these days of sadness and a world of spies/Be yourself to find the truth beneath the lies/Through the massive madness, light the torch of grace/You’re the cornerstone that after the storm remains”
Switching gears, fans of power metal with fast double bass will drool over “Dominator” as this one catapults out of the speakers with fervor. Great guitar leads/solos, pummeling drums and those epic metal chants! Biting lyrics too.
“Self-centered losers who never tried/Sick minds and hearts with wounded pride/Insane corruption that lies within/We live in filth, we die in sin”
Interestingly, the final two tracks differentiate Avaton from the band’s first two albums in two ways: both songs are about 8 minutes in duration (no prior epic songs) and they are both somewhat more cinematic/narrative, especially the latter, with a more complex compositional style. I would not label them progressive, just more dynamic.
“Hall of the Brave” (the Viking Valhalla/or Greek equivalent) is a plodding, march-step metal anthem. The middle section slows things down to just the guitar and hallowed chants, then slowly adds back in the drum toms and bass as a prelude to the spoken word/tribute to the fallen. Guitar solo follows as the music crescendos back to the full band driving the song into the final verse and final “farewell” chorus section. Some great guitar tones in the leads.
“The Battle of Marathon” speaks for itself as to the lyrical content. Again, there is a nice mix of rhythms and guitar tones and melodies throughout to keep this engaging over 8 minutes. Reminds me a bit of Maiden’s “Alexander the Great.” The middle section breakout acoustic guitar and Greek chants do impart a progressive vibe to the song but in a way which is unique to Diviner.
CD
The CD version of Avaton contains a bonus track, “Dead New World,” which has more of a contemporary metal vibe, almost a commercial feel (in the traditional use of the phrase to denote something more accessible/melodic metal). Killer guitar solo and some sweet drum fills and flams. Great lyrics to boot!
1. Avaton (1:21)
2. Mountains High (5:35)
3. Dancing in the Fire (5:00)
4. Cyberwar (4:02)
5. Waste No Time (4:22)
6. Nemecic (5:00)
7. Hope Will Rise (4:39)
8. Dominator (4:56)
9. Hall of the Brave (8:06)
10. The Battle of Marathon (7:59)
11. Dead New World (4:57) (Bonus)
Vinyl
The vinyl (10 tracks) was pressed in black, transparent orange and silver. The single LP is housed in a paper sleeve. Jacket is double gatefold with lyrics and credits/band picture on the inside panels of jacket. Sound quality is excellent but I don’t think it was mixed specifically for vinyl. I do like that the volume is lower on the vinyl and so the music sounds very good across a wide range of volumes with very little listener fatigue up loud. Pressing and vinyl label quality is very good/flat disc.
Side A
1. Avaton (1:21)
2. Mountains High (5:35)
3. Dancing in the Fire (5:00)
4. Cyberwar (4:02)
5. Waste No Time (4:22)
6. Nemecic (5:00)
Side B
7. Hope Will Rise (4:39)
8. Dominator (4:56)
9. Hall of the Brave (8:06)
10. The Battle of Marathon (7:59)
In the end, fans of Diviner should be reassured that Avaton is a worthy successor to those first two releases. These songs complement what has come before but also succeed in showing us a new side of the band and a more mature approach to songwriting. Avaton is certainly one of the best metal releases I’ve heard this year.
[Note: While we don’t categorize Diviner as a “Christian band” per se, we believe their music and words are of considerable value and interest to the readers of Heaven’s Metal Magazine]
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