I own the first cd but honestly never opened it,due to the piles of music I need to get to it was overlooked. Big mistake if it sounds anything like the new cd!!! Michael Kiske is still truly kicking ass and putting together great music with great musicians (Magnus Karlsson is on this as well). Pure melodic hard rock and completely fresh. Take special note to track 8 "A scene in reply". I cannot stop listening to this cd, not 1 filler...all 12 tracks kick ass! (and I thought this would be cheesey power metal).... I WAS WRONG!!!