AWAKEN THE GUARDIAN

Without a doubt one of the best Metal albums of all time (regardless of style), with absolute classics like the first four tracks (''The sorceress'', ''Valley of the dolls'', ''Fata Morgana'', ''Guardian''), and the last, the epic ''Exodus''. Awesome musicianship, not the 'show-off' kind that most Prog bands play, this is about QUALITY COMPOSITION, they manage to keep even the longer songs interesting with catchy riffs and breaks. All topped off with the unique vocal melodies and lyrics by John Arch, who is far from being a Bruce Dickinson clone. The production, while not perfect, is superior to the one in their previous album (''The spectre within''); all the instruments sound clear and well integrated in the mix (although the bass is drowned in occasions by the guitars). Classic.