KARMATRAIN

I came across them in a relatively common manner. Like most of the bands, quasi as an appetizer, they had offered song excerpts from their new album beforehand. Works well in most cases, almost always. OUTSIDE IN are from New Zealand, not a big prog scene there, as for that you have to look over at Australia, the neighbourhood. Okay, I know, not seriously comparable. Stylistically seen close to the likes of Entransient, Ossicles, A Liquid Landscape, Anubis they are not defining something eternally new, this should be said. That's not the case here. Anyhow, there's something regrowing again and again. Hence I'm thrilled that still new entertaining compositions and even real pearls are deriving from this meadows on and off.

The OUTSIDE IN crew is capable of serving sensitive and emotive ballads, that's assured. Trips to melt away, one can say. Well, Mikey Brown has a big share, his voice is rather charming. 'Everything Must Change' - due to this context Blue Dragon then evolves into a heavier direction with more expressive vocals. This so far describes it in general, here we have more than 60 minutes of material showing a unique balance of ballad-esque and heavier rocking moments. Hereby a few songs are average, too polished according to my taste. Though generally seen I find this a quite impressing album regardless. Hence, consequently, finally just let me emphasize one of their highlights, The Garden Of Light, a real masterpiece. Aah, I can't release, burnt into my mind somehow, I'm open to listen to this track again and again. 3.5 stars.