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I've enjoyed the previous albums by Serious Black, so when album number 5, Suite 226, dropped into my review queue, I was pleased. Stylistically, this is a bit of a departure from the band's past output. Sure, it is still European metal built on neoclassical songwriting full of hooky riffs and catchy choruses, but some of the speed typical of power metal has been dialed back and few of the songs really catch the ear the way the band has done in the past. "Let Me Go" is a typical fast opener and "Come Home" a typical power metal ballad with the rest of the songs rather generic melodic metal. The title track that closes the album is easily the highlight with some arresting sound effects that give the song a distinct character, but that's about it. Suite 226 is well played but without the unbridled speed or insanely catchy choruses, it is not really exciting in the way power metal needs to be.