A Flame to the Ground Beneath

This has to be my absolute favorite power metal record of all time. It used to be Helloween's "Keeper Of The Seven Keys I", but I had to admit eventually that these guys really did overtake their ancestors. At first, I didn't know what to make of this record, as it sounded a bit inaccessible. The long songs, the extremely high number of sections in one song, the synth, all of these things made it very difficult for me to get into it. Months later, I don't know how, or for what reason, this album came to my mind. I listened to it again, and I was just blown away. This album is unbelievable.

With regards to the style, this is one hundred percent, solid, shining power metal. There are literally no other elements in the sound, no heavy metal nor speed metal characteristics. Just what we know as "power metal", and that only. Synth, mid-paced double-bass filled, tremolo picking sections that are very sophisticated and precise. All of the characteristics of the genre are encompassed by this album. Lost Horizon was going for a record that's very exclusive to this genre, and they did it magnificently.

Moving on to the songs themselves... You will probably never repeat listening to an album this deep and precious ever again. All of the songs are very emotionally driven, and they are determined to find answers to the deepest questions you might have about yourself, life, the Universe, anything. While all of the songs are mid-paced and long, the record remains very intriguing and creative until the very last second. The melodies, such as the one in the chorus of "Lost In The Depths Of Me", or the one in "Cry Of A Restless Soul" are more uplifting and soothing than anything in human history. With the inclusion of the synth, they managed to write songs so atmospheric, so spiritually brightening, so epic sounding, that no other album can duplicate this experience.

As far as technical abilities go, the band is not made of the most advanced musicians you've ever heard. The guitar work is the perfect definition of "excellent". These guys are very good, but not Katsu Ohtas or Yngwie J. Malmsteens. However, the guitarists of Lost Horizon have something those two guys don't have, and that is storytelling ability. That allows them to make up for their lacking technical skills, AND do a lot more than that. Their riffs and solos are just unrivaled in painting the most wonderful and blindingly beautiful melodies of power metal, and while they aren't the most technical, their abilities are more than sufficient to impress anyone who listens to metal.

Vocalist Daniel Heiman is the most outstanding musician on here as far as musicianship goes. His performance to this day is essentially unrivaled in the genre. His cold, sharp voice remains crystal clear and unshakably stable during the highest-pitched sections, and deeper parts as well. And his range is more than impressive. Just check out "Highlander" at about 7:11. Enough said.

Drummer Christian Nyqvist also puts on a hell of a show, providing some of the most complex, most sophisticated drumming you've ever heard in the genre. It's almost as if he had a different pattern for each and every single riff, and his fills are very tasteful and well-placed in the songs. He is highly skilled at using the double-pedal, and with his varying, creative usage of the cymbals, he helps to color the music even further. It is hard to imagine doing it any better than he did.

This record is truly one of a kind. I'm not so strict about 100% ratings. In my mind, if a record manages to take me away and teleport me to another reality, I will give it a 100%. But if I was stricter, and I would only give one perfect score per genre, this album would get it in the power metal realm. There is nothing that would take the record any further, anything you would add or take away would ruin the record. It is the definition of perfection. The unique, philosophical, emotionally charged approach to power metal created these songs that are so deep, so amazingly liberating, so healing to your mental wounds, that there really is no price tag that would match the value of this masterpiece.