DARK ANGEL

A great disappointment after the potential promised by their previous release, 2007's excellent "Awakening." The band has taken a harsher, more metallic course with their music, leaving behind the vocal and layered weaves that shew in glimmers and glimpses on "Awakening." I hope the band turns around and goes the more complex, pastoral path that drew me into parts of their earlier songs, instead of the harsher "walls of sound" approach here that seems to keep me outside.

Acceptable songs: 2. "Sharp Sea" (7:34) (8/10); "Call Me God?" (6:09) (7.5/10); 3. "How Far to Fall" (4:22) (7.5/10); 9. "A Musing Dream" (9:13) (7/10); 5. "In the Future" (5:06) (7/10)

2.5 stars rated up for the recommendation that you listen and make your own judgment.