ANGELS OF THE APOCALYPSE

MASTERMIND has become a well-known band in the progressive rock & metal genre. They have released six albums including their recent release "Angels of the Apocalypse". It's the follow up to magnificent album "Excelsior! (1999), which also introduced Swedish keyboard maestro Jens Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and STRATOVARIUS) as a new member of the recording band. There's a big change on this album. Their previous album "Excelsior!" was all-instrumental, but on this album they have recruited a magnificent female vocalist: Lisa Bouchelle. Her powerful and emotional voice makes you forget about the last albums technically instrumental splendor. The album is also much more melodic than their previous. The highlights are the opening "The End of the World", "Perchance to Dream", "The Queen of Sheba", the all-instrumental "With Dignity and Grace", "The Beast of Babylon" and the cover of EMERSON LAKE & PALMER's "The Endless Enigma". Although the inclusion of vocals, there's plenty of intriguing instrumental passages and races. This is so far one of the better albums in this genre this year. Highly recommended!