TALES OF THE SANDS

Now THIS is some seriously good Middle Eastern / Metal fusion. I can't think of a more successful hijacking of a sound, meaning they sound like the Symphony X of the Sahara with their seriously delicious brand of prog metal blended perfectly with the Middle Eastern rhythms, scales and harmonies of their native Tunisia. The songs are seriously catchy, original, entertaining, melodic and powerful.

This band is quite talented knowing just how to mix it up. They really have a knack for the prog metal element which puts newer long established acts to shame. Moments when they choose to drop the metal and just let the accompanying congas and female vocals shine in the light for a while are part of the compositional brilliance that this band delivers consistantly. Both guitar and keyboard solos are found that add virtuosic outbursts at times.

This album really adds to their already rich fusion formula. I really look forward to their hearing future releases. If they can shed the blatant Symphony X sound and find their own then this band will surely earn the crown of top prog metal act. 4.5 rounded up