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I have to start by saying that I had actually lost track of this band since the debacle that was "Sons of Thunder", their previous release. I am not saying that the album was absolutely horrible but it was well….boring. Add to the fact that the band themselves didn't even like the album (according to some interviews I had read) and the surmounting controversy around production and the whole he said she said crap I thought it might have been the end of a band that actually showed incredible talent on the album "Return to Heaven Denied". Well the band is back with a new album and a new record deal courtesy of Century Media.

The new album is a bit of a return to form so to speak for this band. Where the last album bored me and I felt it had gotten to light overall this album strikes back to some of the aggressiveness the band displayed On "Return…". The band has incorporated not only a more aggressive approach but has also added a prog metal feel to some of the songs such as on track 3 (This World). The aggressiveness is really on display on track 4 (Just Soldier) that has moments of being confused as thrash riff work. This new approach is something that I really liked about this album since the power metal genre as a whole could use a lot more of this and this will certainly help the band stand out from the pack. The guitar work is also worthy of note since I have never heard the band sound better in their solos or riff work. The only very minor complaint I can make about this album is that I think the vocals are a bit to up front in the mix. This doesn't really detract from the overall enjoyment of this album but something that is pretty noticeable.

Overall this album is a fine step for Labyrinth to announce their return with authority. Fans of the band will certainly like this and if you are looking for power/prog metal with a heavier edge this will certainly be well worth the price.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.