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Leaving All Behind is the debut full-length from Peruvian power metal hopefuls Nautiluz. Their style comes across as a mix of the earlier European Helloween sound of the genre, and that of the increasingly popular progressive power metal sound as heard in Symphony X, Vision Divine, and recent Stratovarius. Genre buffs, and in fairness those who have even a relative grasp on the style will have heard what Nautiluz have to offer before, although I'd certainly say there is reason enough to check out Leaving All Behind.

Whilst Nautiluz don't break any new ground, they do offer up some genuine fun, and in terms of performance I'd say that the Leaving All Behind comes off as fairly accomplished. I certainly think the quality of the material belies them being a relatively young band, particularly the vocal lines which are well done, if meticulously studied from the likes of Michael Kiske, Tobias Sammet, Rob Tiranti or Timo Kotipelto. I'd say vocalist Sebastián Flores does a relatively good job of emulating those guys too, with his talents closely matching that of Timo Kotipelto in the mids, and Tobias Sammet circa mid-period Edguy in the highs. The slight use of layering in some of the choruses furthers the Sammet reference, with "Redemption" showcasing it.

As far as musicianship goes, these guys certainly pack a fair amount of talent. As I mentioned before their songwriting caliber comes across above their years as a band, and whilst their youthful vigor is all over Leaving All Behind, the actual songs themselves are well put together. There isn't anything I'd class as overindulgent despite the inclusion of symphonic elements throughout the album. Things start off exceedingly well with the best song on the album, "Under the Moonlight", a soaring double-kicked affair which leaps out of the speakers. I do feel they packed their finest material into the first half of Leaving All Behind, and find a couple of tracks in the middle leaving me cold, particularly the turgid ballad "Unwritten Serenade" which really overstays its welcome at over six minutes. Fortunately, come "Chasing The Light," things pick back up for the final stretch.

Despite losing a little steam around the middle of the album there's little wrong here on Leaving All Behind. Whilst I'd rather "Unwritten Serenade" and "Eden's Lair" were omitted from the track-list, they're hardly horrible tracks. I just feel that the album could have come across that little more crisp, and impressive. Nonetheless an impressive debut with some ace songwriting which makes numbers such as "The Mirror," the aforementioned "Under the Moonlight" and the title track such cracking power metal songs. As I've said this is nothing you haven't already heard done before, but it is without a doubt well done. Nautiluz show a lot of promise here, and with a little more identity could be one to watch out for. Fans of the European power metal style should pick this one up without reservation.