On the cover one can see a knight under a waving banner over a battlefield, one can almost see what follows, here is "real" Metal, and not just any kind of trendy snot that you usually have. And then there is also the ringing of a young girl's alarm.  It out shines others in the chain that have been released recently. This band comes from the States, but the cradle stands in Greece, where the band was founded. In 2002 the band was strengthened with Theresa Gaffney at the mic, and began in 2005 establishing themselves with a demo CD. And in my [opinion], the ethnic background has also settled well in the beat of the music, which means it is not what one would call pure American Metal such as with OMEN or HELSTAR, as one would expect.  It is definitely power Metal, but with a melodic-European impact. The voice of Theresa Gaffney is at times exceptionally smooth, but not earthy, it goes a little along the lines of Liz Vandall from SAHARA, if anyone still remembers her. WARLORD as well.  It has an uncommonly immense strong expression and it is variable and thus suits the mood, because here you are not allowed the 08/15 bit with the usual pattern Stanza-Refrain-Stanza-Refrain-Bridge-Refrain as expected.  One prepares the piece with care, without it somehow being fabricated, with the guitars you are allowed to witness the masters Psarros and Chrissochos play to their hearts content, and although one can recognize that both are probably considerable MAIDEN fans, enthusiasm and the joy of playing flows from every note.  The entire CD from the front to the back contains simply classy, standout tracks, but I must however yet conclude with pointing out the twelve minute epic "Constantinople 1453". What I would give for a mercy-hammer!  Introduced with a Greek stringed instrument, which now and then gives the rhythm, the band plays around here.

-Stefen Wendle

Thanks Lorraine for the translation.

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