Artension's new album is very similar to the previous one "Phoenix Rising". The formula has changed slightly, but the main ingredients remain: keyboard-driven songs, outstanding vocals, background guitars. The style can be described as neo-classical metal with some blues-rock influences; the typical progressive elements are missing: almost no syncopated or counterpoint rhythms, odd measures, etc., i.e. "plain straight". Considered individually: The guitar player is still one of the most boring ones of the metal scene, as his riffs are totally linear and his solo mere wanking at 100 mph without melodies. The keyboards are the main force and clearly put in forefront in the production. Vitalij Kuprij is playing some great melodies and variations, and his solos are as usual (see solo albums) very impressive. The vocals are among the best ones of the current metal bands, clear, powerful, mellow, emotional. The skills of the bass player (Onder) are unfortunately underused, as this excellent musician has proven on other releases (notably with Joey Tafolla).

Conclusion: outstanding musicianship, yet lack of originality and boldness. The introduction of much more progressive and audacious features in the composition (e.g. a la Zero Hour) could have propelled the album among the 3 best ones of 1999.

Artension's new album is very similar to the previous one "Phoenix Rising". The formula has changed slightly, but the main ingredients remain: keyboard-driven songs, outstanding vocals, background guitars. The style can be described as neo-classical metal with some blues-rock influences; the typical progressive elements are missing: almost no syncopated or counterpoint rhythms, odd measures, etc., i.e. "plain straight". Considered individually: The guitar player is still one of the most boring ones of the metal scene, as his riffs are totally linear and his solo mere wanking at 100 mph without melodies. The keyboards are the main force and clearly put in forefront in the production. Vitalij Kuprij is playing some great melodies and variations, and his solos are as usual (see solo albums) very impressive. The vocals are among the best ones of the current metal bands, clear, powerful, mellow, emotional. The skills of the bass player (Onder) are unfortunately underused, as this excellent musician has proven on other releases (notably with Joey Tafolla).

Conclusion: outstanding musicianship, yet lack of originality and boldness. The introduction of much more progressive and audacious features in the composition (e.g. a la Zero Hour) could have propelled the album among the 3 best ones of 1999.