Infinity Beyond

I always find it difficult to review progressive metal albums. The genre is just so much different than other metal genres. Should I rate how far the boundries are pushed? Should I rate the musicianship? Production? Ideas? Well I guess a proper review should encompass all aspects.
Stating with the musicianship, Acid Rain can surely play their instruments well. The guitars have a power metal feel to them, in that it's not just a constant solo the whole way through. Yes, they do play solos, and they do play them well, but that's not the main emphasis. There are some chunky rhythms with strange timing patterns. The keyboard work is impressive, almost like a Stratovarius style with them, or the style of keys on the Avantasia albums. The drums are pretty standard, there are some interesting rhythms, but nothing mind blowing. The vocals at some points remind me of Warrel Dane, but at other they remind me of standard power metal vocals. I think the different vocal patterns aid the music, in showing more dynamics. The instruments are probably best played in the various instrumental tracks throughout the album. Instrumentals allow the band to show off while not hampering the vocals, because there are none.
This album doesn't tend to push too many boundries. They do have some really cool ideas musically, but the vocals and drumming seem to hold this band back. Not that the vocals or drums are second rate, it's just that the ideas behind these instruments seem to have been done before so many times. Once again the guitars and keyboards seem to carry the progressiveness.
This band, to these ears, sounds like progressive metal band that is very influenced by the works of Tobias Sammet (Avantasia, Edguy), Stratovarius, and many other power metal bands. It's hard to draw a line through the middle of progressive and power metal, but I believe this band is still on the progressive side. I would recommend this album to those into Progressive Metal, Power Metal, and those looking for some compitent musicians playing along the lines of classic power metal and progressive metal. Not groundbreaking, but a great effort none-the-less.