Hand hammered piano craft, or Piano Metal, this music is melodic power metal without guitar. Led by pianist Bastian Emig, who plays the ivories more like a percussionist, the band are augmented by some powerful bass and drums and with some soaring layered vocals you get a three way split of power, melody and intricacy. Surprising it may be, but it is equally enjoyable.

The opening title track opens with some piano that builds before the band come in, and the equally powerful vocals add to the fullness of sound. 'Pandemonium' is a heavy track, those are definitely metal riffs, coming out of the bottom end of the piano.

In its own heavy way, 'At Her Side' has a more mid-80s rock melody, and the sweeping strings add an extra dimension.

There are touches of thrash piano, and a hint at concert piano in 'Yue', but elsewhere there’s plenty of rock’n’roll, atmosphere and piano metal. Polished, enjoyable, it’s well worth checking out.

No experimenting here, it definitely works.

***½

Review by Joe Geesin

www.joegeesin.com