NOVENA

The production is great, and everything is really clear, but this was an album I just could not like, and I still do not know why as there is a great deal of complexity and musicianship on offer. Possibly it is down to a lack of cohesive direction, plus some sections such as the twee beginning to "Disconnected" have nothing going for them and would have been better off left in the studio. This album needed a strong producer to get to grips and mesh it into shape, as however many times I play it I keep coming back to the same thing, that this is a solid release but is never any more than that, no matter what other bands the musicians are involved with.

Despite my hyperbole, the album actually doesn't quite live up to the expectation I would have set for it given the talent involved. At the risk of making too superficial a comparison, I liken this album to Haken's Visions mixed with Mason's signature growls and spoken word. And much like Visions, the song writing is diverse, performances are strong, and almost nothing comes off offensive to the ear. But therein lies the album's drawback: its too safe. When heaven and hell join forces, I would expect something we've not quite seen before and not just plain old Earth.

This is a good album and you will enjoy it. Just not so sure you'll be coming for repeat listens.