In a crowded marketplace, this book may well stay on the shelf.

"I've got Dream Theater and Symphony X, why would I want this lot?"... "Well, there's... good point, actually".

This lot, with Lars Eric Mattsson, have moments certainly, but not enough to make you love what they do. Too many tracks end up like 'Unfold The Future', an involved backline chasing a thin synth, an almost Battle feel, piano break, back in to finish. It's really standard Prog Metal, like 'Ashes To Ashes' which has only dancy backing to distinguish it, or 'Make Sure You Don't Fall' which is tedious and sells out a stronger riff to the usual noise, albeit sunnier.

Along the way there are refreshments. The closer is plaintive and stark, only vocals, strings and synths, until a solo jumps out, 'Uncover The Lie' is a hot, itchy mess with a peculiar scudding synth solo, 'Heal Me' has castanet... yes, castanet backing, to complement the tasty cheese in the chorus.

And so? Yes, alright. There are some signs of life here. They essay some odd sounds, try to push together all sorts of disparate elements and don't seem to care if we struggle to appreciate it. But in a crowded marketplace, this book may well stay on the shelf.

Steve Swift