My Rating: 80/100
Here we hear power metal with atypical insertions - this is a very interesting idea. But here there is a feeling of not just an interesting idea. It's noticeable that everything was composed by one person. Yes, it's written on booklet. But here it is noticeable that vocal and instrumental parts are perfectly combined. 90% of impression is composer's work. You can also see that composer is a keyboardist. Yes, it's also written on booklet and is often written on Twitter. But here it's felt that piano parts were originally composed, and then all the others were created around it. You can also notice that two tracks are very similar. But in the first there is more variety of vocal and instrumental parts than in the second. Hence we can conclude that a big bet was made on the first track, the first impression. Well, it turned out well.
Also it turned out well with vocalist. The first thing to notice is that voice is a coloratura soprano. This is a nice detail. There are extreme vocal techniques at the beginning of 1st track. The key changes during the chorus. Also, the key changes at the end of 1st track. But in the 2nd track it's already difficult to find something interesting. Thus, I can not say that there is a lot of variety of vocal parts, although this is interesting. It's also worth noting that vocalist has good abilities.
Instrumental parts also performed well. Yes, there is one strange decision here - guitar volume is too low. But I still noticed that guitar has a standard E tuning. Guitar is recorded using quad track technology, but here it's not just four tracks in sequencer. It would seem that there is nothing supernatural, but here in one of the tracks in some segments a little vibrato is added. Such small things create an interesting sound. A guitar solo is too easy for power metal, although tapping is always a good decision. And now a keyboardist. Keyboardist has such a high level of skill that it's worthy of a separate story, for which one blog entry is not enough. Nevertheless, it's possible to describe this briefly. Keyboard's sound is different in different segments. And also it's different in both tracks. But here do not show-offs with complex scales, but the addition of a general constructions, creating an atmosphere in which the other members sound great. No show-offs, just honest skill. About rhythm section, you can also say something. Slap on bass at the beginning and end of 1st track. Also bassist has several sections with interesting scales in both tracks. That's all. But rhythm section continues on drums. Rhythm changes throughout the compositions - it's very difficult for drummer. But drum patterns also change.
In general, the release is so interesting that I wrote a lot for 2 tracks - usually I write so much for 5-9 tracks. Here you can easily notice the great talent. Yes, there still is a lot to do. But if they follow the path that I guess, then I can say that they have a good future.
