Twilight On Humanity (LMP~2002)
Inspired lyrics, brilliant vocal lines and a gripping vocal performance can make good music even better. Likewise, corny lyrics, cheesy vocal melodies and annoying singing can castrate what would otherwise be excellent heavy metal. Unfortunately, the latter is the case with this album. I love the drum sound and the guitars are quite good throughout, and those two elements keep this from being a total loss. Still, I need a little more power in my power metal and while the high-pitched lead vocals may be technically impressive, they get on my nerves after a while. The backing vocals are downright pathetic at times. And the vocal melodies themselves only seem to weaken what could be great metal compositions such as "Delusions". If that isnīt bad enough, this New York band includes on this album a freakinī power ballad, "Eternal Love". I have nothing against power ballads in general, and I expect them on albums by bands like Bon Jovi or Def Leppard, but those bands donīt exactly fly the flag of metal the way these guys attempt to. If you live and die by power metal 24x7, you may very well love this release. But if, like me, you prefer to take your power metal in more measured doses, there are much better new albums to choose from. And please, somebody, wake me up when that endless title track finally stops.