ASTRONOMICA

A long awaited album that came after a reunion of the legendary power metal kings of the 80's, with vocalist Midnight replaced by Wade Black and drummer Steve Wacholtz taking Dana Burnell's place. This album devided fans' opinions and is mosty listed as a failure, but I wouldn't agree there. It would surely be a disappointement to those expecting from the band to produce 80s metal in 1999, but to those that appreciate change, progression, then this album would be considered a great addition to their collection. This album is their most progressive effort I believe, with several Egyptian music elements coming up in several songs, as the track Astronomica and the album's best Touch the Sun, or the Edge of Forever. There are also elements of distorted voices and effects and a general background of some concept with several prophecies fitting to each song of the album(as can be seen in the booklet). Wade Black is not Midnight, but well, no one is Midnight, and this is probably Black's best performances in every band he ever sung in, much better than Seven Witches or Leash Law. An outstanding vocalist with a great range and aggressive and also melodic vocals. The album consists of great songs and some that are just worth listening. It is surely not what the band would have released in the 80s but it is a great effort for 1999 and with the line up of the band at that time.