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Assignment: Reflections

Progressive Power Metal

4.0/5.0

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Massacre Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 12.08.2020 | Released: 21.08.2020

Four years on from their previous album, 2016's Closing The Circle, Germany's Assignment returns with their fifth studio album, Reflections. The album finds the band with a permanent (for now) lead singer in Diego Valdez, and introduces new drummer Michael Kolar and guest vocalist Ines Vera-Ortiz.

Assignment

Musically, Assignment strays little from past recordings, playing aggressive progressive power metal. Between the sharp riffage, roaring rhythm section, and Valdez' assertive, often raging, vocals, some Assignment songs can be distilled to three adjectives: fast, heavy, and intense. You'll certainly hear this with Mercyful Angel, Obsession, or Submission, by example. But Assignment can also mix things up. A song like Unknown Hero turns more upon progressive metal rather than racing power metal, and also offers some fine piano moments and symphonic synths. Reflections is softened at the start by female choral vocals, before the song quickly becomes a heavy, steady, and dense prog workout. Vocalist Ines Vera-Ortiz is heard sharing lead vocals with Valdez within Endlessly, something of prog power ballad or anthem. The song has a significant vocal breakdown with piano around the six minute mark. Be sure to listen for it. After the stunning instrumental opening song, Trilogia Balkanica, Endlessly is probably my favorite song here. Overall, if you're an Assignment fan or simply enjoy lightly complex, yet heavy and intense, progressive power metal you will enjoy Assignment's latest album, Reflections.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

If you're an Assignment fan or simply enjoy lightly complex, yet heavy and intense, progressive power metal you will enjoy Assignment's latest album, Reflections.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]