Leverage
Follow Down That River Elements Music

by John Kindred
Staff Writer

Comments: Leverage’s latest studio release is a 4-song EP titled Follow Down That River. The EP adds two tracks that appeared on the Japanese release of their debut Tides and a live recording of the song “Stranger” which also appeared on Tides along with the song “Follow Down That River” which lends its name to the EP.

Leverage is comprised of six talented musicians: guitarists Tuomas Heikkinen (band founder) and Torsti Spoof, vocalist Pekka Heino, keyboardist Marko Niskala, bassist Pekka Lampinen and drummer Valteri Revonkorpi. Follow Down That River is a perfect refresher to remind us just how good this band really is, as well keep them in the spotlight as we await their next studio release.

Opening with “Follow Down That River” headbangers instantly can feel the energy and power of the band. Fist pumping rhythms build the foundation for Heikkinen’s vocal excursions and Niskala’s atmospheric textures. The song is a straight ahead rocker that features a flawless melodic guitar solo and aggressive percussion.

The first Japanese bonus track “Waterfall” opens with the same intense vibe as “Follow Down That River.” Fans will wonder if this is just a filler track and if this was the reason it didn’t make it onto non-Japanese versions of ‘06s Tides. The song features Leverage’s fundamental, powerful baseline rhythms and thunderous bottom end grooves. Niskala’s takes a front seat as his keyboard work is moved to the forefront on “Waterfall.” Both guitarist and keyboardist take the spotlight as the solo starts with the guitar and smoothly transitions to keyboard. The song has the same epic nature as the music on Tides often displayed.

“Land of Flames” continues the intensity. Speed metal influenced rhythms mix with power metal rhetoric. Meaning the song is a huge wall of sound that takes its moments to breathe and then punches you right in the mouth. The keyboards continue to back fill the music with atmospheric tension and also carry the solo portion of the song. Heino’s voice is anything but average or lackluster. Most hard rock/metal bands would probably sell the first newborn to get him to front their band.

The song “Stranger” is our first opportunity to hear the band performing live. Here drummer Revenkorpi and keyboardist Niskala shine. The live setting allows both to show how much the underlying sound of the band is built upon their shoulders. The acoustic melody that opens the song is performed on an electric guitar instead of the acoustic. It gives the music a Metallica vibe, but rest assured this is Leverage. Heino’s voice is a bit buried in the mix but he is audible and he hits all the notes like he did on Tides. Lyrically and musically this is a very powerful song. It begs to be sung every time it’s played. Well done.

Leverage was Hardrock Haven’s Band of the Month for April, their music can be heard on the Hardrock Haven Jukebox and you can read their CD review of Tides here as well. Don’t make a mistake and miss checking out these six musicians from Finland.

www.leverageband.com

Band Members:
Pekka Heino (v)
Tuomas Heikkinen (g)
Torsti Spoof (g)
Marko Niskala (k)
Pekka Lampinen (b)
Valtteri Revonkorpi (d)

Track listing:
Follow Down That River
Waterfall (Japan Bonus Track)
Land of Flames (Japan Bonus Track)
Stranger (Live

HRH rating: N/A