Review by JD on May 4, 2012.

When does a good thing end up being too much? Guess everyone asks this question to themselves once in awhile, especially in the music field. There is that line to cross in all music, but metal seems to have that certain line in every genre and sub-genre that makes it up and they all walk that tightrope.

Germany’s At Vance is a powerful collaboration of amazing musicians that combines the grandness and intricacies of Neo-classical metal with more straight ahead Power Metal with shades of other styles added in. Coming through as a mixing of Stradovarius, Rainbow and Malmsteen with a little Helloween added in. This titanic foursome can play their instruments, and better than most with some originality that some power metal fails to have.

"Only Human" is an album that showcases what Neo-Classical Metal is all about. The song 'Take My Pain' is one of the many tracks here that is brilliantly arranged, yet has a power that most Neo-Classical acts fail to deliver. Others like 'Hold Your Fire' and 'Witch’s Dance' are just as great, but '..Pain..' holds a little more expression and heaviness that others. This power they add in is exactly what shredding metal needed to put in.

The album’s artwork is one of my favorite of all time (a voluptuous angel lovingly comforting a winged Demon) and it sums up my feeling for At Vance’s album. This is a well rounded metal album that shows the world why the metal world have the best musicians and music anywhere. Like Neo-Classical or not, metalheads everywhere need to hear this slab of metal.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 9
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.2 out of 10