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Poland's Titanium was a complete unknown to me until the band sent their second album, Atomic Number 22 (see what they did there? Think back to chemistry class...) to me for a review. Though signed only in Japan, something I can't imagine lasting too much longer, the band's pedigree is highlighted by Pathfinder guitarist Karol Mania and ex-Conquest singer Konstantin Naumenko. I was thinking some type of Thrash given the band and album names but Titanium is pure, speedy Power Metal. The vocals are high-pitched with expertly woven harmony and melody lines that create the kind of catchy choruses this style requires if a band wants to stand out from the crowd. The keyboards support but it's the guitars that drive Titanium's sound with extended lead work that hearkens back to early Dragonforce, before they got overexposed via Guitar Hero. The songs are all quite well written, much better than you might expect from an unsigned band but they do stick to well-worn Power Metal conventions, so Atomic Number 22 isn't overly original. They depart from the uber-happy formula for "Guardians of Might" which features Piet Sielck and sounds like an Iron Savior song (no surprise there as Piet has a very distinctive voice).

Atomic Number 22 is a whole lot of fun to listen to if you are like me and enjoy early Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius (the band includes a cover of "Eagleheart" on the album), Dragonforce and similar bands. The excitement and energy more than make up for any lack of originality.

Note: The version the band submitted for review includes five additional tracks that are not included in the running time listed above. They appear to be outtakes and unfinished songs and are of mixed quality so they were not included for review purposes.