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Book of
Reflections is the brainchild of Lars Eric Mattsson and features some of
Lion Music’s utmost vocal talent, with both Bjorn Jansson of Tears of
Anger and Martin LeMar off Tomorrows Eve, both laying down three vocal
tracks each. Combined with Mattsson providing the remaining vocals,
also featured on this quite outstanding album are Mistheria, who lends his
keyboard talents to the fold, and Anand Mahangoe of Sphere of Souls, who
provides addition guitars, and last but not least, long time collaborator
with Mattsson the infamous drumming prowess of Eddie Sledgehammer.
The album opens
up with Jansson taking up the vocal mantel on the title track ‘Unfold The
Future’. A real storming track that gets the album started with it's
heavy but progressive sound, abetted by some thunderous drums from
Sledgehammer and with the high octane vocals of Jansson, all go to make
this a great way to get things underway.
The album
continues with LeMar taking up the lead for ‘Bringer of the Torch’,
another power infested track, though not as full on as the opener, the
progressive metal feel still remains and highlights LeMar’s soulful
vocals.
It’s all change
on the vocal front once again as this time Mattsson shows he can sing as
well as play guitar, bass and keyboards. With ‘Free My Soul’ his has
a more up-tempo rocker that goes for the jugular from the off, a rampaging
mix of swirling keys and a rhythm section to die for.
After the last
track things slow down a touch with once again Mattsson on vocals for the
haunting symphony that is ‘Heal Me’. A more reflective track that
paves the way to the return to the vocals of Jansson for the mystic
Eastern tones of ‘Uncover The Lie’, a real power metal mix of gypsy
violins and the more contemporary metal tones. A real mixed bag on
this one and the added keyboards of Mistheria add to the eclectic mix.
We return to the
real progressive metal with the excellent ‘Ashes To Ashes’, another full
assault on the senses with the added bonus of some superb solos from both
Mattsson and Mistheria.
The album takes
another breather from the heavier side of progressive metal as it unveils
another layer with the hard rock tones of ‘Make Sure You Don’t Fail’,
which once again feature some fantastic keyboards by Mistheria.
The more
progressive metal purists with just love ‘Deep Inside’ with its mix of
thumping bass and soaring keyboards. This track has it in abundance
and Mattsson’s vocals on this one reminds me a little of a certain Jorn
Lande.
The album once
again introduces an additional twist with the acoustic ‘Blink of an Eye’,
a real rose in this field of progressive metal. But this is just a
short interlude as things once again gently pick up with ‘Got To Get Low’,
a more subdued track while still retaining the progressive mindscape of
the entire album.
The gentle feel
continues with the album closer ‘Love Conquers All’, a real slow burner of
a track that rounds of a real gem of an album.
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