DEFINING THE LEGACY

3.5 stars.This is darn close to 4 stars but I just can't in good conscience give it that rating because 3.5 is the true rating in my opinion. Better than the debut and much better than the followup, then things change lineup-wise for the fourth album but we'll get to that album at a later time. Lots to like about this record.They increased the creativity and passion and there are some amazing passages here.

"Defining The Legacy" opens with piano as sampled mellotron and synths come in with soft vocals. Flute too then acoustic guitar.Things pick up when the pulsating organ arrives 3 1/2 minutes in then it kicks in at 5 minutes.This is good.Piano as it settles back then it gets fuller again as contrasts continue. Vocals are back before 7 1/2 minutes and we get a long guitar solo a minute later. "House Of Cards" is led by synths and drums then some heaviness starts to come and go and the tempo picks up. A calm after 2 minutes and reserved vocals arrive 3 minutes in.Tasteful guitar after 4 minutes and when it stops the vocals return. "Garden Of Dreams" is my favourite. A nice uptempo start with lots of keyboards before we get a calm.Vocals follow then it picks back up as synths then guitar join in. A calm with vocals, piano and synths 6 1/2 minutes in then it picks up again. A change a minute later as theatrical vocals and heaviness take over. It does lighten later.Great tune.

"Assassin" opens with mellotron as urgent almost spoken vocals arrive.Regular vocals follow after a minute. It kicks in at 2 minutes. Nice. It settles with reserved vocals 3 1/2 minutes in then it turns heavy with organ 5 minutes in.The vocals get quite theatrical after 7 minutes. Love the brief guitar before 8 minutes. "Impulse" has a good instrumental intro that goes on until after 3 minutes then these angry vocals arrive with a heavy sound. It does settle back but it's still emotional.The guitar is great 6 1/2 minutes in. "Bridge To The Promised Land" has a very classical feel to it with strings. Reserved vocals after 2 minutes then it turns more powerful. It settles back and we get some soaring guitar after 5 minutes.Surprisingly it ends with applause.This song was live ? "Mind-Sculpture" opens with rain and thunder then the synths, drums and bass take over, guitar after 2 minutes. An excellent closing instrumental.

If your into Neo-Prog please check this album out because it's a keeper.