Review by Pete Finn for MPM
Formed in Finland during 2002, Leverage is a heavy rock/melodic rock band that blends symphonic metal, hard rock, with progressive metal elements, and by avoiding categorization as power metal, AOR, or thrash, giving them their own individual sound.
Their music is characterized by catchy melodies, soaring vocals, and a focus on heavy rock with stunning melodies. Leverage’s drive, focus and determination to succeed has been demonstrated throughout, from their independently released debut ‘Tides’ in 2006, the sad and untimely passing of vocalist Kimmo Blom in the summer of 2022, to this their sixth album ‘Gravity’, out on June 20th, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
‘Gravity’ is the result of Leverage version 3.0, and consists of founding member and main songwriter Tuomas Heikkinen (guitars), Valtteri Revonkorpi (drums), Paolo Ribaldini (vocals), Marko Niskala (keyboards), Sami Norrbacka (bass) and Lotta-Maria Heiskanen (violin).
The album contains 8-tracks that provide a combined running time of 45-minutes, including the title-track coming in as a near 10-minute monster.
Leverage’s first track to drop is the aptly interstellar ‘Shooting Star’, the fuse is lit with a Shadows-esque guitar jangle before it detonates around the senses. Ribaldini’s quick vocal is matched by Revonkorpi’s racing beat instantly creating the shooting star imagery. Heikkinen’s clipped riff adds excitement and energy, before the guitar solo brings a shudder of static through the body. This high-tempo start sets the bar high for the rest of the album.
Following on, is the slower cinematic anthem ‘Tales Of The Night’. The sound is rich and Niskala’s keys fill the room. Ribaldini narrates the story with measured and razor-sharp vocals. Harmonised backing vocals emphasising the depth of the track. The duelling solos of Niskala and Heikkinen bring passion and intensity. Revonkorpi closes the track with a double-tapped bass drum beat.
The powerful racing beats laid down by the rhythm section launch ‘Hellbound Train’. Everything is flat-out, Ribaldini’s vocals, Heikkinen riffs and solo, Norrbacka is pounding his bass into submission. There’s an ingenious keys and guitar combo that simulates the sound of a steam train, it’s very clever. The pace is relentless as the track charges on, so buckle-up and enjoy the ride.
After a delicate violin intro, the high-tempo classic rock continues with ‘Moon Of Madness’. The galloping velocity is matched by Ribaldini’s direct vocal. Lotta-Maria Heiskanen’s violin provides a soaring solo that works very well in amongst the ferocious beats that surround it.
A sea-shanty jig introduces ‘Eliza’, Ribaldini is passionately telling a story, a classic rock sound evolves accompanied by double bass drum taps. The pace continues with a chanted chorus, until a mid-section break where the tempo subsides with a pirate like interlude. The quick rhythm resumes briefly before calmly bringing the track to a smooth close.
‘All Seeing Eye’ is a slower paced track altogether, mixing ballad with a stoner sound, this is a journey through Leverage’s fusion of genres, the momentum gathers with a metal electro-rock sound as the band demonstrate their talents, with Ribaldini’s vocals acting as conductor. A very well constructed track. Grab your favourite tipple, close your eyes and savour the moment.
With a little research I discover that ‘King Ghidorah’ is a three-headed alien dragon monster, who is Godzilla’s nemesis. A fiery thrash riff brings in Ribaldini’s screaming vocal, Norrbacka’s bass with Revonkorpi’s double beat are stomping all over the track. The pace is unyielding as Heikkinen’s solo scythe’s through the aural attack. The track concludes with Niskala’s crescendo of keys.
The album closes with the title-track ‘Gravity’, an orchestral beginning with Ribaldini’s narrated lyric gives the impression of vastness, the pace is slower but with a seismic beat, the sounds generating a huge galactic atmosphere. The mid-section sees the speed slow right down, an eerie keyboard and gentle guitar creates the space like scene, the sound builds and encompasses the listener, as its led along by Ribaldini and Heikkinen as his fingers dance over his fretboard. A fine finish to a great album.
Leverage with ‘Gravity’ have delivered a superb album, containing a powerful eclectic mix of styles, and showcasing their own unique sound. The production and musicianship is first class. The tracks thoughtfully constructed and played with passion. Get a copy and immerse yourself in the experience that is ‘Gravity’.
“Gravity” Tracklist:
1. Shooting Star
2. Tales Of The Night
3. Hellbound Train
4. Moon Of Madness
5. Eliza
6. All Seeing Eye
7. King Ghidorah
8. Gravity
Album Line Up:
Paolo Ribaldini – all vocals
Tuomas Heikkinen – guitars
Marko Niskala – keyboards
Valtteri Revonkorpi – drums
Sami Norrbacka – bass
Lotta-Maria Heiskanen – violin
