Led by keyboard wizard Richard Andersson, Time Requiem's self titled debut album is everything that Andersson felt Majestic were not. What we have is a dark deeply classical prog power metal release. Whilst leaning more towards Adagio than Artension, Time Requiem is pure quality from start to finish.

Complex arrangements meet head on with classy vocals from Apollo Papathanasio for such captivating melodies as on the title track and Watching The Tower Of Skies. Think of Andersson as the Yngwie of the keyboard world, this is packed full of his keyboard flurries but this guy has soul making great use of the pitch wheel. To hear this guy on a Yngwie album would be pure magic. In the meantime this album will satisfy and look out for a new studio album and live album over the next couple of months.

Fans of Adagio, Symphony X and Yngwie Malmsteen pick this up a.s.a.p.

Rating - 92%

One of metals most dependable bands return with renewed vigour. Train Of Thought is easily DT's most guitar intensive album since Awake. Guitarist John Petrucci is playing his ass off pretty much throughout and its a joy to hear. A slimmed down James LaBrie's vocals sound all the better for the loss of a few pounds and he also puts in his best vocal performance since Images & Words. The rthythm section of Portnoy and Myung is as flawless as ever, but strangely Jordan Ruddess takes somewhat of a backseat this time around.

Generally ToT is more straighforward than 6DOIT or SFAM and to these ears it sounds fresher for it - think of this as Dream Theater attempting to write the ultimate metal album. The riffs are mean, lean and generally superb throughout, to single out any particular tracks would be an injustice to this fine body of work.

Simply if you like Dream Theater then get this album now.

Rating - 92%

I picked up Michael Lee Firkin's self titled debut album back around 1990, that was a great slice of virtuoso instrumental guitar music, but you could tell the guy had a blues flair within him thanks to his bluesy mock slide tremolo bar use and almost pedal steel licks. Since that time I have lost track of what Michael has been up to so it was great to hear Decomposition and catch up.

This album is a collection of 8 covers from the likes of Johnny Winter - Still Alive & Well, Hendrix - Manic Depression done instrumentally with a very nice extended moody solo and Little Wing, to the Pink Panther theme tune as well as a funky take on The Average White Bands - Pick Up The Pieces.

However, top marks go to the one Michael Lee Firkins original on the album, The Window. This is a superb acoustic led piece with rich electric textures on top. Kind of like Jimmy Page meets Eric Johnson, this piece of music is simply beautiful and worth buying the album for alone!

Overall Decomposition is a fun encounter but hearing the original track makes me wish this was a totally original release.

Rating - 75%

Japan have produced some of the finest neo-classical metal in recent years with Concerto Moon being the obvious example. Well they now have some very stiff competiton from Katsu Ohta's Ark Storm. This is the band second album and sees a new vocalist in Yasuo Sasai, a guy that has great capabilites at singing in english. Sasai's great vocal performance sounds somewhat like Doogie White on Yngwie's recent Attack album.

Beginning Of The New Legend is home to some of the finest neo-classical metal heard this side of James Byrd, the guitar work is stellar (if very Malmsteen), the production is great, the songs are all home to great riffs, strong melodic hooks and classical bombast. Evolution sees the album loose a little momentum momentarily (its a bass solo), but otherwise this album cannot be faulted.

Initially only available in Japan it has now been brought to a wider audience thanks to a European release (but not UK) on Nothing To Say Records. Check amazon.fr or amazon.de to get this gem at a price vastly cheaper than its japanese counterpart.

Ark Storm could well be the new leading light in the neo-classical genre.

Rating - 94%