ALYA

A concept album based on the Revelation as seen by John from the Bible. I really think they improved in just about all aspects on the next release "The Last Summer". This one seems to bog down at times and the vocalist has quite a heavy accent. That normally doesn't bother me too much, but the tone of his voice in conjunction with the accent is a distraction.

The album opens with violin that is eventually replaced with keyboards and drums. Some nice mellotron graces this song as well.The monologue in "Lost Angels" and throughout this project has it's place I know, but is a negative. "Starless Night" is a highlight with the sampling of rain and the Steve Howe-like acoustic guitar playing. "Seals" is another good one, more mellotron !

The second disc is a little darker as other reviewers have mentioned. Opening with "Pain" that begins with trumpet and some experimental keys or samplings. "Sentence" is dark with some great guitar. More mellotron on "The Dark Kingdom". "The Last Drink" features some heavy guitar and a violin solo."Babylon" is another favourite, soaring guitar and mellotron, great combination.

Yes this is a good record, just not an excellent one in my opinion.