DARK ANGEL

In 2008 The Reasoning return with a second album titled ''Dark angel''.This marks the end of Lee Wright's stint with the band and the beginning of a new era, featuring new guitarist Owain Roberts.As with the previous one Mathhew Cohen had also the production duties, while Arena's John Mitchell was responsible for the final mix.This was released as well on the band's Comet label.

With a very Metal-like front cover and title, ''Dark angel'' meets the standards of the heavier side of Prog Rock, sneaking in the metal territory quite often.And all these modern Britrish Prog groups had something in common: The excellent value on production and the mood for bombastic and epic arrangements with many orchestral parts and grandiose musicianship.The Reasoning's sound did not differ much.With a gifted female vocalist like Rachel Jones-Cohen and an accomplished core of instrumentalists, ''Dark angel'' comes as a welcome entry in the genre, based on heavy riffing, frenetic synthesizers and beautiful piano lines, setting a variety of tempos in display and delivering enoyable, well-crafted musicianship with some Neo Prog overtones.The guitar work is particularly excellent, a bunch of monster riffs and some notable soloing with a discreet emotional flavor do make a more than attractive contrast.The second part of the album contains also a couple of more laid-back pieces, which are more than great.Vocal melodies and arrangements are just beautiful, soft guitars and ethereal piano lines create imaginery soundscapes and Rachel Jones-Cohen recalls her days with KARNATAKA, when she performed a less punchy and more dreamy style.Very good cuts.

An improvement over an otherwise solid debut.''Dark angel'' will satisfy a spectrum of prog fans, including those into Prog Metal and Neo Prog.Cohesive music with energetic, passionate and atmospheric compositions.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.