WRONG

I'd heard such terrible things about this one before throwing it onto the hi-fi, so much in fact that I expected utter trash. But it's not a total loss. It's got some crap to offer, but it's not utter trash. It's an album that's deeply flawed but does have several redeeming moments deserving a close listen. With a gorgeous production, the rich and emotional vocals of Andre Carswell and an extremely tight performance from all musicians (especially keyboardist Matthis Ulmer), it's an album that gets to you if you give it enough chances.

Things start on a high note with the Kansas-meets-Faith No More "The Wrong", brooding and introspective most of the time, exploding in fury elsewhere, even reaching metallic heights at certain points. "Miscellaneous" is also a nice expansive number, drawing another Kansas comparison, mostly due to the vocals sounding similar to Steve Walsh. I also hear a slight nod to the most accessible Porcupine Tree material. "Far Away" is the last 100% excellent song, a successful meeting of melodic melancholy and a huge, triumphant, booming choral piece, recalling the glory-vibe of epic metal without being anywhere near that heavy. Elsewhere on this album you get way too much depthless AOR, lots of lame verses and ultra-weak choruses, way too many major chords, way too carefree, way too flimsy and transparent. Main offenders are "Happy Go Lucky" (the title says it all) and the sub-Journey ballad "Without You (The Way It Was)" (uh, the title says it all). "Your Time" might have an amazing keyboard solo from Matthias Ulmer, but the rest sounds like Magnum-meets-Asia long after either had any relevance. "Fade Out" is listenable due to the amazing production, but ultimately toes the mediocrity line and is rather forgettable. The album's final proper track, "Helios Reloaded", bounces between cosmic rhythms and an upbeat, radio-friendly melody line. Interesting, at worst. I have to point out 7th track "Out Of This World". This is a superbly crafted song, aided by a patient and precise stacking of layers, each part eventful, and Carswell's vocals are pulling emotion from somewhere deep. (Could've done without the "Radio Edit" version tacked onto the end of the album.)

Original members Uwe Karpa and Matthias Ulmer are the main drivers of this machine, and it gets somewhere thanks to great production, great performance and a few good songs, but it doesn't get quite far enough. As I would also say of the newer Trettioariga Kriget material, don't start here with this band, but if you find you like a majority of their catalog, don't pass it by either.