I’m ashamed to say that, despite being in existence in some form or other for over thirty years and having five full-length albums out, Voice is a name that has thus far eluded my ever-voracious ears. I’m delighted to have put that oversight right now, however, because the band’s soon-come six full lengther, Holy Or Damned, is a bit of a pearler.

There’s a slight ‘Greek’ feel to the band, thanks possibly to the highly emotive vocals of Oliver Glas, a man with a distinctive set of pipes (think Dickinson meets Kiske) is quite reminiscent – to these ears at least, of Stray Gods‘ Artur Almeida. (I thought he was Portuguese? -Ed).

Anyways, I digress. Holy or Damned motors along at a fair old clip, with Glas’ powerhouse bellowings driving on the likes of The Silence of Presience and standout track Schizo Dialogues in impressive fashion. Blessed with a punchy, in-your-face production from Mirko Hofmann and the band, the album leaps from the speakers and demands your attention from the get-go. Sven “Leo” Leonhardt is a particular beneficiary of the sound, with his drums front and centre throughout, though never at the expense of the other performers. Rainer Wild and Thommy Neuhierl (who also adds Keyboards) bring flair to the guitar department – have a listen to In This World for proof – whilst bassist Sören Glas works unobtrusively in the shadows, providing backbone and form.

Although Voice’s music might on the face of it be slightly ‘journeyman’ in nature – they are certainly operating in a densely populated corner of the market – they attack the task at hand with such skill and flair as to mark them out as one of the better contenders for the power metal throne currently doing the rounds. The use every ounce of their experience to their advantage throughout, making Holy or Damned one of the most riveting listens of it’s kind that I’ve heard so far in 2024. Class will out, as they say, and this is a very classy release indeed.

Holy Or Damned releases on July 12th.