The Metal Crypt on Facebook  The Metal Crypt's YouTube Channel
Review: Circle II Circle - Full Circle - The Best Of
Circle II Circle
www.circle2circle.net
Full Circle - The Best Of

Label: AFM Records
Year released: 2012
Duration: 2:30:00
Tracks: 32
Genre: Progressive Power Metal

Rating:
4/5


Review online: August 18, 2012
Reviewed by: Bruce Dragonchaser
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 4/5 (80%) (10 Votes)
Review

Circle II Circle took a lot of time for me to appreciate, but it was a worthy investment, as I now hold the post-Savatage band of former vocalist Zak Stevens in the highest esteem. Their early records are some of the most treasured in my collection, and while their later works have become rawer and less Sava-esque, they still manage to keep the Tage flame burning. Full Circle collects songs from their five studio albums and throws in a bunch of bonus cuts, the kind of thing left on the cutting room floor. For those who have the records already, this is undoubtedly the selling point.

If you're new to the band, this is a great place to start. Most of their best songs are here, including "All That Remains", "Watching In Silence", "Into The Wind", "Take Back Yesterday", "Dead Of Dawn", "In This Life", "Heal You", "The Middle Of Nowhere" and "Every Last Thing". Over two discs, Stevens and co take you through the band's development from Jon Oliva-penned manifestos to darker, more introspective Prog-Power. Stevens proves why his voice is still one of the best in the business, and his psychological lyrics continue to draw you in with their reflective questions. The bonus songs include the groovy "Darkness Rising", "Strung Out", "Against The World" and the flat-out amazing "Shadows", a song that has Jon Oliva's Pain written all over it.

As they are gearing up to unleash their sixth album, Full Circle is a nice stopgap. If you've ever wondered what Zak Stevens did after The Wake Of Magellan, here is the answer.

More about Circle II Circle...
Review: Burden of Truth (reviewed by 4th Horseman)
Review: Consequence of Power (reviewed by Bruce Dragonchaser)
Review: Delusions of Grandeur (reviewed by Bruce Dragonchaser)
Review: Seasons Will Fall (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: The Middle Of Nowhere (reviewed by 4th Horseman)
Review: The Middle Of Nowhere (reviewed by Bruce Dragonchaser)
Review: Watching in Silence (reviewed by Bruce Dragonchaser)
Review: Watching in Silence (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Click below for more reviews
Latest 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Various Books/Zines 



The Metal Crypt - Crushing Posers Since 1999
Copyright  © 1999-2025, Michel Renaud / The Metal Crypt.  All Rights Reserved.