• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

September 2023

• Rockett Love: Galactic Circus
• Kerrigan: Bloodmoon
• Taz: Shipwrecked, Vol 2
• Taz: Wake Up & Sweat, Vol 1
• Ronnie Romero: Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters
• The Flower Kings: Look At You Now
• Vega: Battlelines
• Blackbird Angels: Solsorte
• Primal Fear: Code Red
• Eclipse: Megalomanium
• Seventh Wonder: Mercy Falls (Reissue 2008/2023)
• Seventh Wonder: The Great Escape (Reissue 2010/2023)

August 2023

• Hurricane: Reconnected
• U.D.O.: Touchdown
• Streetlight: Ignition
• Sarayasign: The Lion's Road
• Neal Morse: The Dreamer - Joseph - Part One
• Rian: Wings
• Icon Of Sin: Legends
• Lancer: Tempest
• King Kobra: We Are Warriors
• Dark Sky: Signs Of The Time
• Hell In The Club: F.U.B.A.R.
• Kent Hilli: Nothing Left To Lose

July 2023

• Turkish Delight: Volume Two
• Winterstorm: Everfrost
• Scream Maker: Land Of Fire
• James Robledo: Broken Soul
• Houston: Relaunch III
• All For Metal: Legends
• Withering Scorn: Prophets Of Demise
• Bloodbound: Tales From The North
• Kikimora: For A Broken Dime
• Degreed: Public Address

June 2023

• Night Legion: Fight Or Fall
• Midnite City: In At The Deep End
• Pyramaze: Bloodlines
• Shakra: Invincible
• Vypera: Race Of Time
• Stardust: Kingdom Of Illusion
• Pride Of Lions: Dream Higher
• Joel Hoekstra's 13: Crash Of Life
• The Defiants: Drive
• Ray Alder: II
• Art Nation: Inception
• False Memories: Hybrid Ego System

[ More Music Reviews ]

Astra: From Within

Melodic/Progressive Metal

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Lion Music
www.astraprog.com
www.myspace.com/astraprog
Added February 15, 2009
Review: Craig Hartranft

Astra, like fellow countrymen Clairvoyants, is another Italian band that began as a tribute band. Their forte is Dream Theater. However, don't expect Astra to sound like that venerable progressive metal band. They have definitely developed their own style of progressive metal. From Within, their second full length release and first with Lion Music, begins with a strong foundation of power metal. Upon this is built captivating melodic metal with layers of strong vocal arrangements, riveting guitar work, rich keyboard arrangements, and above all, breathless energy and enthusiasm.

Frankly, I was thrown off by the first track 'Never Say Goodbye,' a moving pure AOR piece which also gives you a foretaste of the amazing voice of Titta Tani. From here, with only a few diversions, you are blessed with powerful and persuasive melodic prog metal. For a dose on the heavier side, 'Over The Hills,' 'Promises You Made,' and 'Simple Mind' deliver stronger riffs wrapped in luxurious vocal arrangements and ambient keyboards. Yet, for me the greatest achievements were two: first, 'Memories Remain' with it's unique vocal stylings and effective tandem guitar and keyboards; and second, 'Hypocrisy' where AOR dovetails with melodic metal to create a magnificent piece of prog rock. Finally, if you're looking for a glimmer of Astra's Dream Theater roots, I believe you'll find it best in the last number, 'The Hitman.'

Kudos to Lion Music for snagging Astra for their roster. 'From Within' is a creative and completely captivating work which will please those who delight in straight up melodic progressive metal. Highly recommended!

Kudos to Lion Music for snagging Astra for their roster. 'From Within' is a creative and completely captivating work which will please those who delight in straight up melodic progressive metal.

Alphabetical Index

Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]