Reviewed by Paul S Ganney

Amazingly, this is the 15th album from the Japanese Christian metal band. Some very impressive riffing opens the album and we're off - pounding drums, pulsating bass, roomsfull of reverb, long held vocals at the limit of human hearing (check out "Repent" for a great example of the latter - probably the best vocal performance on the album). It's germanic metal in a Helloween/Stryper/Axxis style, not quite fast enough to hit Dragonforce comparisons, except on the odd solo, but fast enough to keep the excitement level up. I was especially drawn to the rhythm/riffing guitar work which is exemplary throughout, especially on "Jee-You", "Saints Seeking Salvation" and "The Wave" (which is more Gary Moore/Def Leppard than the previous reference points). It's fast, furious, throttling forwards and back as the song demands, clear even at top speed and has more energy than it has a right to, even veering dangerously close to punk on "Don't Stop Walking" (with a lovely chanted closing line) and "New Jerusalem" whose main riff had a hint of "London Calling" about it. Some prog bands release instrumental versions of their albums as bonuses - here's one metal band that could do so. Even on the gentler "Peace" it sounds like they've fed the acoustic guitars through a Marshall first. It works, giving the solo a chance to shine, without fighting the riffs going on behind it. Overall very accomplished and makes me want to hear more.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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