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Here we have yet another Mike LePond band, this one being New Jersey-based Everdawn (formerly Midnight Eternal). Their new album is called Cleopatra and features new, operatically trained singer Alina Gavrilenko. As the singer and the band's name might lead you to surmise, Everdawn play symphonic metal and they've put together a fine collection of songs for Cleopatra. Some operatic singers don't mesh with the music despite their obvious talent but not so with Gavrilenko. She fits seamlessly into Everdawn's style and elevates the music with her beautiful voice. The songwriting is not what I would call adventurous, coloring within the lines of symphonic metal and including elements we have come to expect such haunting choruses, captivating melodies and the occasional offsetting harsh vocals. It is, however, excellent with songs like "Stranded in Bangalore" the kind of music fans of this style live for and can't wait to sing along with live. Everdawn have avoided being overly cinematic, sticking to power metal, and Cleopatra is a more cohesive and satisfying listen because of that decision. The production, courtesy of Dan Swanö, lets everyone shine and while we all know LePond as a monster bass player, he also knows how to allow his bandmates space to do what they do. Cleopatra is a consistently high-quality symphonic metal album, so if you enjoy bands like Xandria, Coronatus and especially Tarja-era Nightwish, you need to hear it.