FORSAKEN INNOCENCE

Although originally formed in the '90's, this re-formed (in 2015) and re-imagined version of the band around original member Pat Sanders has been resurgent in recent years. This is their 5th album since their reformation, and it is without doubt their best album thus far. Diversity and versatility are keys here for this accomplished set of melodic prog songs from Drifting Sun. Although there are some tedious sections in the more downbeat first half of the album (in consecutive moody tomes 'Insidious' and 'Dementium'), the magnificent centerpiece 'Forsaken Innocence' parts 1 and 2 lifts the rest of the album to glorious heights. 4 stars