THE DREAMS OF MEN

InitiaL listen finds me disappointed in this album. I am a big fan of the band but this does not come close to Cross and the Crucible. Two things stand out, lack of the same melodic quality abundant in Cross and Alan's voice is weak. I found that the main flaw with Cross was the vox being lost in the mix and the same is found on this album but at times he lacks the power. I will need to listen a few more times to take everything in but somehow the quality of Midas Touch and Blinding Darkness is missing. Not as neo-prog and more heavier at times (return to their roots) I still think the previous album is better.