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I genuinely feel sorry for Labyrinth. Not only have they been replaced in the minds of many – including myself – by the rival act of former Guitarist Olaf Thorsen, the mighty Vision Divine, but they are constantly chastised by the press when each subsequent album fails to be "Return To Heaven Denied Part II". This is a shame. Labyrinth have so much more to offer than their signature sound that spawned a thousand imitators, plus, I didn't even think the aforementioned album was that sensational in the first place. I always rather liked their self-titled comeback album in 2003, and even 2005's "Freeman" had some incongruously brilliant songs impressed within. Showing the press they don't really give a monkey's about their opinions, the Italian stallions are back with album number six, which I believe is their finest work to date.

Sticking the speed factor on the back burner, "6 Days to Nowhere" is a highly sophisticated creation. So rich are the melodies, so affluent the production and so heartfelt the performances, this actually wouldn't sound out of place in a New York coffee shop. The atmosphere is palpable throughout; a thick longing, a desperation to find oneself, ones identity. I can just imagine walking the midnight streets listening intently as Robert Tiranti pours his heart out through my headphones. Strictly a mid-paced affair, most of "6 Days to Nowhere" isn't even prog or power metal, yet there is still enough of it in there for me to categorise it so. Although the album is jam-packed with songs, every one is relatively short, getting straight to the point, and kicking in some teeth while they're at it. The album has one hell of a punch, with awesome stompers like "Crossroads", "Just One Day" and "Waiting Tomorrow" which all bare the trademark sound recognised so well in similar artists work. As far as progression goes, the majority of tracks increase in technicality during the middle section, adding to the layers of emotional complexity built throughout the verses and chorus. "What???" opens with perhaps the most challenging passage on the album, where as the cover of Beatles classic "Come Together" breaks things up nicely with a heavy articulation, making this a crushing rendition. Tiranti's performance is amazing, habitually, and just as he has taken over bass duties too. There is a contrition on display here, with most melodies and lyrics being rather introspective and heartfelt for the duration, which pains me a little, but also elucidates just how honestly sincere Labyrinth have become.

Something most copy cat artists forget, we have bucketfuls of variation, spanning from blast beat throttled speed metal in "Lost" to heavy, post-modern rock in "Coldness" and "Rusty Nail". Extremely melodic and exuberantly charged with sentiment, "6 Days to Nowhere" is a highly rewarding design of catchy, simplistic, traditional metal that after a couple of listens hits you like a sledgehammer. Vision Divine, the benchmark has been laid once more. Let's see what you've got.