THE 1ST CHAPTER

Surfing on the web the past year, I discovered a new Prog Metal band from Norway which had a lot of recognition on some websites, Circus Maximus. So, I decided to check out what they do. First of all, the feeling I have about this band (and most of new Prog Metal bands) is that I wasn't hearing something new. Some people call this bands 'Dream Theater-wannabes'. Well, I think it's not something new or original (as some reviews said before) but it's very well played and the musicianship is great. Obviously, they need more maturity. The voice is good, not excellent, but decent. The really evident influences are DT, Symphony X and a bit of Shadow Gallery. It has lots of tempo changes to keep us prog lovers interested, and the songs are very accesible despite of they're very technical, and after a few listenings, you get into their music. Here's the description track by track: "Sin" is the first song I've heard from this band (on their website). Exellent track, it really blew up my head !! Very á la Dream Theater style. The arabian melody at the beggining is nice. I like on the middle of the song, when they do diferent rhytms with the use of double bass drum pedal and heavy guitar; followed by a very well done guitar solo, close to Petrucci's sound. The chorus is very cathy. Nice baggining to the album.

"Alive" is the second song I heard on their website. More commercial than the first one. Some power metal influences are evident here. The first pre-chorus is very nice, as the keyboard at the end.

"Glory Of The Empire", the first epic of the album (10 minutes). It really reminds me of Symphony X's "The Accolade". The intro is excellent, quiet, with acoustic guitar and nice keyboards. The becomes more heavier, and enters the vocals. Very melodic mid-tempo chorus. The guitar solo, again very good and renovated. I think the choir vocals "For the glory of the empire" at the end do not fit so much with the song, but overall, good mid-tempo song.

The instrumental "Biosfear" has a very close sound to DT's "Dance Of Eternity". Starts heavy and fast (headbanging,yeah !!). FULL of tempo changes and a lot of melodys and solos 'taken' from Dream Thater. The problem with this is, that this song is TOO MUCH DT, despite of the pricipal guitar solo seems like Romeo has done it. A lot of shredding here !! Those who like this like me might like this song.

The quiet acoustic ballad comes, "Silence From Angels Above". Well, it's a bit depressing ... but beautiful and very melodic. It has computer drum at the end, a thing that surprised me. The vocal performance is very good.

"Why Am I here" .... well, I do not like this song, except for the heavy metal beggining. It seems this one was done to sell out, specially for the chorus.

"The Prophecy" starts quiet, acoustic, with nice piano. Here it reminds me of DT's "Voices". Then, from a moment to another, it goes very heavy. Nice song (up to this moment), because then comes that stupid commercial chorus !! I don't know why they decided to put here a childy chorus, that destroys the track. The solos are great and give me a feeling of hope.

The 19 minutes epic "The First Chapter", comes next. The intro seems like it was taken from a Symphony X epic, with a lot of keyboards and I can hear a bass fiddle there !! I must say THIS PART is original, in difference of the rest of the CD. The rest is basically different parts, with very good vocals. Great solos, as is usual in an epic. Really, the song finishes at 17 minute, but in the two last minutes there is some (cartoon) music from cicus or a park of diversions, and then a crowd of people applauding, really bizarre situation !!

The bonus track "Imperial Destruction" is another song in the style of the first ones, but more rocker.

Overall, if you want to hear something original, keep away from this; but if you want to hear good musicians playing hard prog music in the style of the main Prog Metal bands, buy this. I give it 3 stars because of, as I said before, is that I wasn't hearing something new, so I consider it "Good but non-essential" I'll have to pay attention to their next album. Recommended for Prog Metal fans.

Rating: 3.2/5