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Interesting album here in that Silent Force mixes both heavy metal and power metal - not really in the same song but rather there are a few songs here that are of traditional heavy metal fame, while the others are more of a modern power metal sound (yes, there IS a difference between heavy metal and power metal.) The heavy metal songs have a Painkiller-era Judas Priest sound to them (and not just because there's a very good cover of "All Guns Blazing" ;), along with some elements that are not without reminding me of early-80's metal.

I found the heavy metal songs to be far better than the power metal ones. Not that the power metal songs are not any good, quite the contrary, but rather that I can't shake the feeling that they sound like it's already been done. Needless to say, the invasion of new power metal bands in the last couple of years has something to do with this. I don't know about you, but at some point I just can't take any more happy choirs and keyboards abuse. I think Silent Force should focus more on their heavy metal material, a genre that's been pretty much left behind since the early 80's and that sure could use a few more young talented bands.

This album is very fast-paced, and strangely ends on a ballad - something I'm not too fond of as an album closer. The ballad also distinguishes itself from the other songs by the use of guest female vocals, to good effect in this case. Vocalist DC Cooper (Royal Hunt) is nothing short of excellent on this album, no matter the type of song. He has a Halford-esque voice on some of the heavy metal songs while he adapts to a "cheesier" vocal style for the power metal stuff. The vocal work is definitely a major highlight on this album. From what I've heard of Royal Hunt, fans of that band are in for a surprise. ;) The musicians are not to be put aside either, the playing is very tight and some of the guitar solos will just make you want to pick up your air guitar. :)

Overall the material ranges from very good to excellent. I hope that the band will choose to concentrate more on the heavy metal material on future albums. At least the power metal stuff on this album is not overdone and quite tolerable, especially when surrounded by some good old heavy metal songs. Ok, I'll stop bitching about that for now. :) Highly recommended.