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Ascension are a band from Scotland who at first blush seem like a Dragonforce clone, and that is probably what got them attention, but I actually think they have more going on than that, and some songs on here show really solid potential.

Opener "Somewhere Back In Time" is a pretty shameless Dragonforce ripoff, and I was immediately skeptical, but following tracks show more solid songwriting at work. When Ascension slow down to a more Maidenesque gallop - as on "Reflected Life" or album highlight "The Time Machine" - they sound much more solid and catchy, with really hooky riffs and memorable choruses. Singer Richard Carnie is not the greatest, and he sometimes wanders off-note, but he goes after this with tremendous enthusiasm and energy.

This starts out sounding like a total Dragonforce ripoff, but it actually ends up being an entertaining album of Power Metal from a young band just finding their stride. Enjoyable.