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This is the second side project solo album from a member of one of the leading power metal bands in the world, Stratovarius. Unlike Timo Tolkki’s solo album this one is actually based in metal… what a concept… heh. The only hard part of reviewing solo albums from members of an established band is the inevitable comparisons you start to make with their full-time gigs. This however wasn’t too difficult with this album since it flows in the same lines as what Stratovarius actually does.

With help on this project from names such as Mike Romeo (Symphony X) and Janne Warmen (Children of Bodom) among others this is certainly an album that wont be lacking in the area of talented musicians. This is your basic power/pure metal album with everything you would expect from a group of musicians like this. I think this is where my only complaint is drawn from. My complaint being that for some reason I expected a little more. Some of the songs sound almost rushed or not completely finished. Maybe this is just my perception since I actually do like this album quite a bit and I have had it in a steady rotation ever since I got it in the mail. This minor complaint notwithstanding this is an excellent album with mainly mid tempo and faster songs with the obligatory ballad thrown in as well. The musicianship is top notch and with this line-up I would be more shocked if it wasn’t. I do have to admit however I really did enjoy hearing Mike Romeo in a more traditional style of power metal rather than the heavily progressive Symphony X. This guy can simply shred no matter what the context.

Overall an enjoyable album that fans will surely not be disappointed by. Now for the comparisons… :) Is it damn good? Yes. Is it better than Tolkki’s solo effort? DEFINITELY. Is it better than a full Stratovarius album? No. Still I would still have to recommend this album to fans of the genre since overall it is a damn good album and as long as you can pass preconceived notions you will definitely be happy with it.