French metal mixing Progressive, Symphonic and Melodic metal. From the off there’s operatic melodic power metal with enough of a dark / gothic edge for this style to be big in Norway, Japan et al.

The album starts with the excellent 'Face To Face pt1', a track with its roots firmly in neoclassical thrash, a touch of Yngwie Malmsteen. A gothic touch of Rhapsody too. 'Kill The Dogs' opens in trad thrash style with a symphonic edge to the vocals and deep lyrics. There’s a jangly industrial touch to 'Silence Of War', while the acoustic touches in 'Agony Of War' is truly haunting with some powerful vocals.

Not only is this album powerful, moving, atmospheric, darkly operatic, it is equally brutal, with riffery, shred and solos to match. When the music moves into thrash or industrial territories, it does so cohesively. There are melodic power metal moments in the vocal harmonies that nod at Freedom Call or Rhapsody. Check out 'Spiral', it’s infectious.

A few years in the making and well worth the wait.

****

Review by Joe Geesin

www.joegeesin.com