Originally named Aria, Saidian, formed by keyboardist Markus Bohr, the debut album, the rather tongue twisting, 'For Those Who Walk The Path Forlorn', is surprisingly a mixed bag and quite a decent one at that.

If you look at the album artwork, I was expecting another dose of Italian symphonic power metal, then I discovered the label of Saidian, is AOR Heaven. Well those two clues proved to be more than just a clue to what lies behind the music here.

So if you take some of the good and not so good Italian power metal of the likes of Rhapsody, Secret Sphere, throw in some of AOR tones of Royal Hunt, mix it up with the humour of Edguy and you have Saidian to a tee.

Nine songs on offer here, nothing outstanding, lots of workmanlike songs, that get better with repeated listening.

Quite refreshing to mix up lots of melody with some of the more uptempo fast songs.

Hope Saidian will improve and get better and better with each release, the potential is there!

***

Review by Graham Boyle

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly