TERRA INCOGNITA: A LINE IN THE SAND

Second in line of three one-man project's album, based on Kevin J. Anderson novel "The Map Of All Things". First project's album was based on the novel " Edge Of The World" of the same author. Album is completed with well illustrated inlet book with all lyrics, pictures and both albums and books pictures. Good marketing.

As almost all one-man projects, music there has that specific " flat" sound. Never played live in whole, this is product of multi layered mixing/recording technologies, where recording studio is as much important instrument as any other used to play this music. Technically musicianship is competent if slightly boring, for sure you heard such music (often in better versions) hundred times, but if you're not interesting in new things too much, possibly you wouldn't be very disappointed.

Main trick to add some spices in that release and at the same time attract more listeners is guest vocalists. Steve Walsh is possibly best known name between other 9 (!) guest vocalists (Arjen Lucassen add some backing vocals as well).

Album is conceptual and in fact sounds as audio-musical illustration to novel. Possibly the idea was each book and album will help to sell each other. As a person obviously for a some decades too old to be attracted by such kind of books ("... Brick To Brick, Stone By Stone We Build The Wall To Protect Us All..." ), I can't speak about lyrics there.

Speaking about music, it's kind of below average for real progressive metal standard but possibly not so bad for one-man project. Hardly innovative or even interesting, I believe it could find it's listener. Just I don't know any person I could recommend this album for listening.

My rating is 2+, can't round it to 3 ( or to name it " good album but non-essential"). More release for fans only.