Artension
New Discovery

Here we are at a regular appointment with the review of an album by yet another group equipped with monstrously valid technique, nonetheless not taken much into consideration.

'New Discovery' is a gem of Neoclassical metal, a middle ground between not too intense melodic speed metal and decent classic hard rock. Atmospheric songs loaded with wild solos, especially keyboard ones, and an internal song structure that is perfect to say the least, like the best prog groups. If you love Sonata Arctica for the cleanliness of the solos, you'll like these too, even if, unlike other power bands in the Stratovarius style, they offer us much less fast and frenzied songs, but much more filled with mysticism, melody, and passion. The members also play for Mike Terrana, Axel Rudi Pell, Royal Hunt, and others, and they are all very talented, perhaps the one who might not be to everyone's taste is the singer, John West, as the voice doesn't express anything special and actually seems a bit unsuitable.

As mentioned the main element is the keyboard, which wriggles in fluid and dynamic solos, the overall style trend always pushes towards the melodic and never hints at a change or loss of catchiness, however, if until now power has presented us fast and melodic songs, this time they are offering slow and calm tracks. Yes, the style is not common to many other groups, and indeed it is original and rarely heard, but overall it doesn't develop much further, meaning it doesn't have that flash of genius that could make it stand out or consider it a superior or special album. However, let's say that for lovers of melodic metal it is a real gem, and getting to know them could prove fundamental from various points of view. "New Discovery" is mystical and adrenaline-filled, a melancholic atmosphere with the characteristic of particular and sweet choirs and excellent keyboard solos. "Remember My Name" immediately announces itself with a fluid keyboard play, the drums are energetic, and the song very melodic, again with excellent solos. "Innocence" is very technical, and it is typically prog due to its atmospheric shifts, followed by "The Last Survivor," the most aggressive track in which the keyboard plays a very important role. Even "Hearts Are Broken" is adrenaline-filled but very special is the instrumental "Symphobic Expedition" where for four minutes, well-synchronized keyboard, guitar, and drums duel in fast and graceful melody. A sweet presence of a ballad on acoustic guitar: "Endless Day", followed by "Call of the Wild" with the typical hard rock rhythm and the Deep Purple keyboard effect. Followed by "Story Teller Urbe", the same "Endless Day" from before but in Radio Edit and finally the CD calms down with the tranquil "Hidden" on piano.

Final Concept: the album in question has many positive sides as well as negative sides, it might be appreciated for offering a sweet Hard rock\Power\Classical metal with special solos, especially on the keyboard, but it falls into the somewhat boring voice and the overall monotony from one song to another. You just have to try it.