(Frontiers)
The Swedish power metallers (once thought of as a Helloween clone, circa Sunrise In Riverland, 2001) issue their second album since returning to activity (after a 2007 begun hiatus) and sixth, overall.
Well, they certainly aren’t short on material, as the nine pseudo-conceptual platter features tracks eclipsing seven, eight and 14 minutes! The “shortest” number is “Underneath The Eye”, just a second short of 5:00.
It is three songs in before a high pitched, sense of Teutonic urgency rears its head, on “No One’s Hero”. At 8:02, there’s plenty of guitar sections, albeit riding atop symphonic accompaniment. More widdly guitar bits in “Afterlife”, as well as orchestral strings. Along with some keyboard fanfares, “The Prophesier” also features some spirited guitars.
A mid-tempo power metal anthem, 7:20 “Fire From Above” moves along, feeling shorter than its considerable length. Returning to Deutsche influences is the double bass pumping “Underneath The Eye”, before ending with the massive length title track finale, which employs everything that has come before.
Overall, competent, just a little too sterile for my tastes.
Rating: 6.0
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