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It baffles me to consider After Forever's success. Out of practically every Nightwish cover band to emerge from the scene since the band's profile was raised, After Forever, surely, should be the most laudable. For one, they have balls. Something most female fronted acts tend to require. But I admire this Dutch sextet for their stoic and resolute attitude. After founding guitarist/main songwriter Mark Jansen buggered off to compile the left over material from AF's debut into Epica's repertoire, the band soldiered on. A rocky start in the shape of "Invisible Circles" was granted, but then, After Forever stepped up with this slice of symphonic brilliance.

This certainly serves as the perfect introduction, because it encompasses everything there is to be heard in the After Forever realm. Every song takes a different approach, a different angle, and as such, the album is varied, accessible, and last but not least, invaluably enjoyable. Floor Jansen and crew carefully blend Symphonic Metal with sharp, crushing Progressive/Power Metal that spans the genres perfectly, adding a touch of industrial angst ("Attendance") and death-tinged aggression ("Living Shields") in places, fast paced; keyboard based Heavy Metal in others ("Only Everything"). Floor Jansen's vocals are intrinsically ornate, and unlike most in the field, she often utilizes her boastful chest voice, singing straighter and more in your face, with her glass shattering soprano only airing on those really intense segments. There is more metal in "Remagine" than on every Nightwish, Epica and Visions of Atlantis album combined, so those looking for a more masculine female fronted metal album might have just found the perfect elixir to the tedium of Leave's Eyes and their ilk. Truly more Threshold than Nightwish, "Remagine" is the sound of a class act growing with every note, and it really has it all; great songs, catchy melodies, grand orchestration, perfect production; what are you waiting for?