When I first read the Nightmare Records bio for Australia’s Divine Ascension, I thought I was in for by the numbers symphonic power metal with over blown female operatic vocals. Boy was I wrong! Lead vocalist Jennifer Borg has a powerful melodic rock vocal style similar to Floor Jansen and Sharon Den Adel, while totally avoiding the sometimes-annoying opera style of the gazillion Tarja clones, although Jennifer can hit those high notes with ease.

Instead of strictly relying on the formulaic symphonic metal formula, Divine Ascension has more of a European power metal style with keyboards used to accentuate the heavier guitar parts. For the lead single/video “Answers”, Jennifer gets a killer vocal assist from fellow Aussie, Silvio Massaro of Vanishing Point.

With energetic and powerful tracks like “Visionary”, “Guided By Osiris”, and “Vision Divine”, Divine Ascension straddles the line between power metal and progressive metal with ease. “As The Truth Appears” is an excellent debut. I look forward to watching Divine Ascension’s burgeoning career with great interest. Joining the ranks of fellow Australian heavyweights Voyager, Lord, Hemina, and Vanishing Point, Divine Ascension has created an original style in their own right. If you’re a fan of Delain, Within Temptation and After Forever, you should run out and buy this album today!

Rating: 8.5