THE 1ST CHAPTER

This is Circus Maximus' debut album. It features a sound very much like Symphony X's and Dream Theater's sound, but manages to stay brilliant. Ignore all the negative, bashing reviews of Circus Maximus above me and read this one.

We first start off with their epic, The First Chapter. It is a brilliant 19 minute track that sounds somewhat like the Odyssey, but still manages to stay original-sounding. The track goes around Neo-Classical orchestrations and brilliant instrumentations that at times surpass what a Neo-Classical powerhouse like Symphony X and Adagio can do. This is perhaps one of my favorite tracks released this year along with Lazarus, Octavarium, Ghost of Perdition and among others. This is a very special song and shows promise in this Norwegian Progressive Power Metal band.

Now Let's look at all the individual songs:

1. Sin- A very good, heavy opener with a very good NeoClassical solo passage. Catchy and heavy at the same time. 4/5

2. Alive- This is where the obvious "Power Metal" influence comes in, the chorus sounds very catchy and powerful at the time. The singer is no Russell Allen ( Symphony X) , but gets the job done very well. 4/5

3.Glory of The Empire- This song is the other epic in this album. It measures about 10 minutes long and during its time, it manages to bring us off into a new land. Great song 5/5

4. Biosfear- A great little instrumental here, highly reminiscent of parts of Metropolis and the Dance of Eternity, but without all the solos. 5/5

5. Silence From the Angels Above 4/5

6. Why Am I Here 3/5

7. The Prophecy 3/5

8. The First Chapter 5/5

9. Imperial Destruction- A great ending tune, somewhat like Symphony X's Divine Wings of Tragedy. 3/5

This album might lack amazing vocals and original songwriting, but it isn't a bad album at all. In fact, this album might be one of the top 10 Prog releases of this year. Great album and we see a great future with them.