AWAKEN THE GUARDIAN

Contrary to the majority of reviewers, I see only a small difference between this and their previous effort. Playing is more refined, the band feels more comfortable in a proggy heavy-metal clothing but still it remains a sophisticated heavy-metal album with ambitious twists. Vocals are top-notch, all over the album. The band have their first half-ballad on the acoustically supported "Guardian". The next track has a top start with 2-minute prog instrumental mark and then the trademark falsetto intro. This is one of the best and perhaps rhythmically the most diverse track by then. Not the melodic one but exploring different chord moods. "Exodus", the longest track, proves how the band improved in the instrumental sections, which is not about overplaying but rather finding the right balance of playing, music development and not forgetting the feeling.