ASCENSION THEORY

3.5 stars. I found this album a little frustrating because it starts off so well with three great tunes then we a good one followed by a ballad. Next up are two tracks with a guest female vocalist I don't like, then a male vocalist i'm not fond of on the following song. I like the last two songs as well but they're not as good as the first three. Love the cover art which goes so well with the album's title. As b olariu mentions the vocals really are the cherry on the cake here, which is why it's so disappointing to have guest vocals that aren't nearly as good.

"Passion Of My Heart" opens with synths washing in then the riffs arrive followed by vocals. Great sound ! "Lockstep" has some good bottom end here with vocals. Just a feel good track for me. Synths then some blistering guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. "Perfect Plan" opens with atmosphere galore then the music kicks in before a minute. Vocals follow. Excellent tune. "Saturn's Reign" opens with heavy riffs as synths then vocals come in. The tempo picks up around a minute and continues to shift throughout. Good song. "To Be Content" is the dreaded ballad but they do a really good job with it.

"The Way Of Death" opens with a dark atmosphere and FLOYD-like synths running rampant. A heavy beat then riffs follow. It all goes down hill when the female vocals arrive. "Decisions" has a heavy beat with vocals before a minute. Female vocals 2 minutes in. A calm with piano 3 1/2 minutes in. The guitar soars after 4 minutes. "End Game" has a guest male vocalist that I really don't like. It's still a pretty good track though. "Refractions" is a very cool tune because it sounds nothing like the rest. Piano to open in a very relaxed enviroment. Guitar comes in very laid back then piano ends it. "Answers" kicks in heavily before a minute. Some nice guitar before 5 minutes.

If your into Prog-Metal I do think you should check this out. So much to like here, I just feel it's spoiled by the guest vocalists.

Ascension Theory is the project who turned to be in the end a real band formed by two ex members of the defunct prog metal Aztec Jade. Aztec Jade disbanded in fall of 2002 and the main composers of the band Timothy Becker from keys and the vocalist Leon Ozug decided to form another band. So the've started the Ascension Theory. Their first record was from 2004 and was nothing really special in prog metal zone, but not a bad album for sure. The second release, the one I'm gonna talk here is Answers from 2005. Again not realy something never heared befor, but as whole a plesant album. The voice of Ozug is the cherry on the cake here, who is capable to make some real good moments like on the opening piece Passion of My Heart , Perfect Plan and Saturn's reign, great voice and very underrated. The prog metal offered here is typical american , they have an american sound easy to recognize, in places they've toying with postmetal. They are close to Dream Theater in places and even some traces of Aztec Jade or Shadow Gallery, but those bands are much better, at least for me, and they are less complex and complicated than those bands. Anyway this album is not bad, but is not special either, 3 stars for Answers. The cover art is excellent, realy great. If you want to discover prog metal bands who for some reason didn't make it in prog metal zone, try this one, worth a couple of spins.

This album is one of the BEST prog.albums ever made.I have literally 1000's of cds to chose when I go on holiday,and always this one is in the box. The album has powerful rifts and more mellow sections throughout,culmulating with its climax at the end.Very well thought out,and for a change the singer can sing which is a considerable bonus on a lot of prog cd's.

This albumn is a must have for fans of Progressive metal. Featuring two former members of Aztec Jade, this albumn takes you on a mind trip of progressive metal.

Very melodic yet very Progressive, reminds listeners of A Young Dream Theater, but more refined. Excellent guitar work, but it is the vocals that stand out, reminds me of a Young LANCE KING, but without the quality of that LANCE'S voice possesses.

My recommendation is to purchase this and let your ears be the judge, you won't be disappointed.

2nd brilliant album from these guys, featuring 2 former members of Aztec Jade.

I love Concept Cd's. This one has a futuristic story line. It makes me think of Threshold/Dream Theater (musically). So much of the time the mix of keyboards and other instruments sounds symphonic, I mean like a real symphony. And I have always loved rock and symphony together. Its very cool.

Melodic progressive Metal also early Dream Theater/ Savatage / Queensryche.

YTSEJAM.com - Rating 4/5; POWERMETAL.DK - Rating 8/10 ; HARDROCKHAVEN.net - Rating 8.1/10; AORDREAMZONES.COM - Rating 9/10; STICKMAN RADIO - Rating 5/5.