DIVISION - ASCENSION TO ETERNITY - 1998

I've been following Division's music now for a couple of years. Anyone who knows my taste in music, knows that Division's music is not a style that I normally listen to on a regular basis. Their first disc, Paradise Lost, was so poorly produced, that it didn't help the band get noticed much in the metal world. Mike Blevins, one of the maniacal guitarists, kept in touch with me and finally advised me that to understand Division, you have to see them play live. So, it just happened that Division was playing at the first Powermad gig in Baltimore, and on a plane I went to see some prog metal and Division. Quite frankly, their show blew me away. I wondered what the hell I was listening to on Paradise Lost, because the show sounded nothing like the music. Aggressive, maniacal, in your face, power metal laced with progressive tendencies.

I had the opportunity to see Division again in Baltimore this year, and their show actually blew away their last show, and I was amazed at the progressive maturity that the band was showing, musically and especially vocally. Division promised an ass kicking disc, and even included their fan base in the naming of the title. The band seems bent on carrying the metal flag back to America with their "balls to the wall", "fans come first" attitude toward the music. Not to mention that they are one of the hardest working bands in metal, playing anywhere-anytime as long as they can physically make it to their regular jobs the next day. It's this attitude and maturity that has brought them to their Ascension To Eternity disc.

THE STYLE:

If I had to keep this to one line (and I can't), I'd say "Iron Maiden on speed." Division is bent on playing the fastest, aggressive version of Iron Maiden style music I've heard to date, without being an obvious clone of the band. The twin guitar attack of Division is their trademark, and they've certainly cornered the market in that area; or at least have prided themselves in this area and have become one of the premier showcases of this style of playing. Most of their songs incorporate the twin lead style, and it certainly has become their signature sound. Surprisingly, the band has incorporated a few key-strings here and there, but they quickly turn into stormbringers before you can start to think that Division has gone lightweight. I've urged Mike Blevins many times to incorporate keyboards into their music, and he's politely smiled and said "maybe." I think that was his way of saying that Division is about METAL. It's a no holds barred, double-axed, aggressive, at-the-speed-of-sound style that they are proud of, and bands like Iced Earth, Mercury Rising, Jag Panzer, Steel Prophet have all adopted. The band is intent on bringing back that "pure metal" sound to the masses, and they have the talent and opportunity to do so.

On Ascension To Eternity, the band keeps pace with the style of Paradise Lost but with many added extra attractions. Bits of key strings, acoustic intros, more vocal melodies and harmonies, and a bigger guitar sound make this one much more memorable and kicking than their previous attempt. Some of the thrashiness seems to have disappeared, and the group vocals (yellings as I call them) in the midst of songs have diminished significantly. In it's place are more power, more aggression, and certainly more accomplished vocal work. Overall, it's a very "METAL" disc, worthy of being placed high on your headbanging list. When you're feeling aggressive or angry, take out this disc and bang along to it, it's very good therapy.
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