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

October 2024

• Frost*: Life In The Wires
• Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
• Fans Of The Dark: Video
• Radioactive (Tommy Denander): Reset
• House Of Lords: Full Tilt Overdrive
• Cleanbreak: We Are The Fire

September 2024

• Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
• Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
• Eclipse: Megalomanium II
• SteelCity: Reverence
• Hydra: ReHydrated
• Heartwind: III
• Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
• Find Me: Nightbound
• The Nail: The Nail
• Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
• Stryper: When We Were Kings
• Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
• Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
• Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly

August 2024

• Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
• Paralydium: Universe Calls
• Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
• Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
• All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
• Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2

July 2024

• Ironflame: Kingdom Torn Asunder
• Spektra: Hypnotized
• (Michael) Palace: Reckless Heart
• Mr. Big: Ten
• Dark Mile: Dark Mile

June 2024

• Kaipa: Sommargryningsljus
• Sunbomb: Light Up The Sky
• Seven Spires: A Fortress Called Home
• Atlantic: Another World
• Xeneris: Eternal Rising
• New Horizon: Conquerors
• Issa: Another World

May 2024

• Rhapsody Of Fire: Challenge The Wind
• Cloven Hoof: Heathen Cross
• Perseus: Into The Silence
• Yes: Talk (1994/2024) Reissue
• Marty Friedman: Drama
• Demon: Invincible
• The Treatment: Wake Up The Neighbourhood
• The Tangent: To Follow Polaris
• Riot V: Mean Streets
• Anette Olzon: Rapture
• FM: Old Habits Die Hard

[ 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

By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]