apan have produced some of the finest neo-classical metal in recent years with
Concerto Moon being the obvious example. Well they now have some very stiff
competiton from Katsu Ohta's Ark Storm. This is the band second album and sees a new
vocalist in Yasuo Sasai, a guy that has great capabilites at singing in english.
Sasai's great vocal performance sounds somewhat like Doogie White on Yngwie's recent
Attack album.
Beginning Of The New Legend is home to some of the finest neo-classical metal heard
this side of James Byrd, the guitar work is stellar (if very Malmsteen), the
production is great, the songs are all home to great riffs, strong melodic hooks and
classical bombast. Evolution sees the album loose a little momentum momentarily (its
a bass solo), but otherwise this album cannot be faulted.
Initially only available in Japan it has now been brought to a wider audience thanks
to a European release (but not UK) on Nothing To Say Records. Check amazon.fr or
amazon.de to get this gem at a price vastly cheaper than its japanese counterpart.
Ark Storm could well be the new leading light in the neo-classical genre.
Rating - 94%
apan have produced some of the finest neo-classical metal in recent years with
Concerto Moon being the obvious example. Well they now have some very stiff
competiton from Katsu Ohta's Ark Storm. This is the band second album and sees a new
vocalist in Yasuo Sasai, a guy that has great capabilites at singing in english.
Sasai's great vocal performance sounds somewhat like Doogie White on Yngwie's recent
Attack album.