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I wish I could say I was surprised to learn that Dark Sky was from Germany, but they sound so much like countrymen Mob Rules and Axxis, it was almost a foregone conclusion. That is not to say there is anything wrong with their 2012 album, Initium; it is a solid slice of Melodic Power Metal. Catchy choruses, double-kick drums and big keyboard flourishes are present in amounts sure to please fans of Temple of Two Suns and Utopia. There's nothing remotely original to be found, but this is a case where the performances and songwriting overshadow any lack of originality.

With a story arc based on the New Testament, you might reasonably assume Initium to be preachy and/or sentimental, but nothing could be further from the truth. Songs like "Last Supper," "Judas 2 - Take My Life" and "You're Alive" blaze along with speedy, Power Metal grandeur. The whole album moves along at a good clip with only "I Swear" slowing the pace a bit. Dark Sky play excellent Melodic Power Metal and Initium is an album fans of the genre need to seek out.