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I love when an album comes out of nowhere and totally surprises me. That's the case with The New Dawn the second album from the U.K.'s Dakesis. Progressive/Power Metal is the genre and these Brits go after it with gusto. After the obligatory intro, we're right into a mid-paced Power Metal anthem with a sharp guitar tone and supporting keyboards on the exciting title track. The female vocals are strong but don't overpower the music. The band writes surprisingly mature songs that balance fanciful keyboard melodies and chugging riffs with just the right amount of Prog noodling and song structures. Most importantly they don't forget that songs need a hook, be it a chorus, riff or whatever. Those things abound on The New Dawn and even though it is over an hour long, it never gets dull. Even the 17+ minutes "The Seventh Sky" skillfully repeats musical themes and vocal lines that prevent the song from wandering off into Progressive purgatory. The male backing vocals need some work but that's about the only niggle I have with this album. This is one of those albums that makes you wonder how the band isn't on a label with at least a distro deal. Dakesis may not be at the same level, but hints of Dream Theater, Anubis Gate and Symphony X should give you an idea of what the band is shooting for and whether or not you want to check them out. I say go for it.