Another day, another Italian power metal album. Like an unstoppable flood, these Italian power metal bands are saturating the already overcrowded European power metal scene. It is like standing in an enormous dark forest and almost each and every tree is the same. In vain it tries to twist its withering branches towards the light. In this dying forest are several golden-leafed and healthy trees but they are however few and far outnumbered. Beholder is one of these healthy trees but it is nothing more than a frail sapling yet, desperately struggling to grow towards the light, and shred its fraternal bark; the stereotypical stigma of Italian power metal.

Wish For Destruction is already the second album of this seven-piece band from Italy. Right from the first song onwards this band shows that power metal can still be refreshing. Most striking is the mixture of the beautiful female vocals of Leanan Sidhe and the rough vocals of Patrick Wire. I already know what you are thinking, another soprano driven band like the Finnish Nightwish. Well, you are wrong. Beholder have managed to perfectly integrate the female vocals into their music and Leanan’s and Patrick’s vocals intertwine without either one of them being dominating.

The songs on this album are powerful, catchy and refreshing with razor-sharp guitar work and intricate drumming. In addition they contain far above average keyboard melodies as well. Beholder have managed to avoid most of the stigmatic power metal clichés and most importantly they have avoided the use of mediocre fantasy lyrics.

Instead, they have opted for a futuristic setting of a world dominated by scientific progress gone mad. Although this topic might not be all that original either, it is nevertheless a big improvement compared to all those uninspired ‘slay the dragon’ lyrics.

However, I have three problems with this CD. First of all the production is a bit too soft and chaotic to my liking and the guitars sometimes seem to drown in the onslaught of the rest of the music (the drums in particular). Secondly, while Patrick’s rough vocals sound very refreshing, he nevertheless seems to have a problem with the more melodic parts of the album. Normally, this would not be such a problem but when Leanan’s clear-cut and excellent vocals take over, it somehow forces me to wince. Finally, the mixture of two different vocal styles works miracles but towards the end of the CD it starts to become predictable and it would do Beholder good to diversify the vocals on their next album.

Beholder, a healthy sapling in the forest of withering trees, have succeeded in delivering a refreshing album that despite its drawbacks has managed to impress me. This particular sapling is ready to grow into a full-fledged tree and any self-respecting power metal fan should nourish this sapling. Highlights of the album are the sing-along “7even”, the aggressive “Beyond Science” and the final track “Ultimate Elimination”.