What would expect to hear from two ex-members of Fates Warning? Well, if you think it’s the same Prog metal vibes that their ex-employers live in then you may be somewhat surprised, as this is one killer melodic rock record with huge hooks and melodies. Ray Alder has always been the owner of one hell of a set of pipes, and boy does he shine on this record.
Opener Trial By Fire is a monster opening tune with a massive hook and chorus, with added fat huge riffage. The Far Side Of The Horizon follows with a killer chugga riff passage opening it up. Superb melody and vocals, and the guitar of Joop Wolters is sublime. There are hints of Prog on this tune but in more of a classic sense than say, Fates. Machine Gunner is up next and kicks in with a very busy guitar pattern, and a huge up tempo groove. This track will blow your mind, awesome instrumental section and the vocals are killer, plus is my favourite track. The tempo and groove slows down for the next track, Rise Again. Huge Toto vibes from this one. Side 1 closes out with Window Panes, a very catchy, fat riff coupled with a monster vocal line that has hints of Journey. This track is huge!
Over to Side 2 we go and opening track Run Away. Those Toto vibes are hitting me hard on this one. Killer harmonies and melody, and the guitar reminds me so much of Steve Lukather. Stranded starts with a very groovy laid back vibe that opens up to a huge chord crunch, and man it’s those vocals that get you. The guitar solo is just pure joy, what a great tone. At The Waters Edge has a superb intro, and I love the main riff and groove, and that solo, jeez! Next up is Borrowed Time and this is the most Prog metal track on the album, with a huge killer riff plus a ripping guitar solo – and those vocals and harmonies are off the hook. Sadly it’s last track time with Sometimes, and those Toto vibes are very strong (at least at the intro). The guitar could be Lukather if you close your eyes.
This album was one of the surprises of last year for me, and if you only buy one album this year then go and treat yourself with this. You will not be disappointed.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
