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The Aurora Project formed in 1998 and became known in 2005 for their heavy neo-prog sound, progressive metal with an atmospheric bent, and influences from Pink Floyd, Eloy, Arena, Anathema, Sylvan, Subsignal, and even Tool. A connection with The Gathering, as they are fans of the famous card game and their unique music, a blend of mysterious atmospheric rock, a fine signature for them.

"Slave City" bears the hallmarks of the band's sound, minimalist a cappella vocals before the neo-prog explosion, reminiscent of Arena's latest energetic albums; the dark and rhythmic neo-verse on one side, the solemn, spatial vocoder break on the other. The acoustic/electric blend ebbs and flows like an endless wave. "The Movement" denotes, with its neo-tempo sound, Marillion-esque keyboards, and the striking alternative rock that emerges, a new-wave touch of a contemplative Simple Minds. The choppy, sung vocals call out before the instrumental variation, dynamic pad, pounding keyboards, somewhere between Arena and The Gathering. The jazzy soft rock cover then the chorus and Alex's excellent, furious, and illuminating guitar. "Have Some Tea" with its Hendrixian intro; the reggae tune calls out, easy, danceable, but gives way at the 2-minute mark to an intense neo-futuristic break that leads to a spectacular guitar solo showcasing the famous wah-wah pedal. It builds, the syncopated pads, the psychedelic, metallic, atmospheric guitar; singing, dancing, oozing. The return of the bombastic chorus confirms the band's melodic heavy prog metal vein with an explosive break; a bass finale and a Police tune for this melting fade.

"The Traveler" with its heavy electro rhythm, its distinctive phrasing, cold wave in the distance, vibrant melancholic guitar flirting with that of Gilmour; Part jam, part contemplative flight. The guitar rips, returning to heavy tones before the acoustic finale. "Freedom of Thought" features Victoria Lynn's opening vocals over an Eno-esque ambient rhythm. Dennis takes the vocals, clear, flirting with Damian Wilson's, then sparkling new wave, and then the staccato riff like that of The Gathering on the famous "Mandylion." The crescendo begins with heavy prog metal with the choruses typical of the aforementioned band, captivating and intoxicating.

The Aurora Project, moving from prog metal to heavy progressive, from melodic new wave to complex prog, from heavy metal prog to atmospheric prog, is a good, energetic and modern musical conglomeration.(3.5)

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