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So the master of metal operas (Arjen Lucassen) has returned again. The formula is the same: a background of relatively complex heavy metal orchestrations intercepted with various acoustic and mellower passages, haunting melodies, relatively virtuous playing, various artists singers including female vocals, spacey majestic (though increasingly retro) arrangements... It almost looks a Human Equation - part 2 (and even that is shamelessly not hidden). If the originality chapter certainly needs a great improvement, lyric chapter needs a revolution - it is as retro as embarrassing.

Nevertheless, at few listens the album is as enjoyable and appealing as powerful, as we could expect from Lucassen proficient songwriting, and at least in this aspect he has some merit.

5,5 (between trivial and decent)