Tracks:

Drama of the Ages
Keeper of the Crown
Spinning Leaf
Stand or Fall
Tempest
Third Way
Forever Winter
Drowning Man
Deceiver of the Nations
Cutting Words
Victory At the Gates

I've seen this band in the J section at the music store, but never heard anything by them. I expected them to be death metal, but as it turns out they are more like a Firewind-ish power metal type.

Wow, these guys are from Ohio?? I was sure this was a European band. Where were these guys when I was trying to put together a band like this in Michigan? Oh well. Who said nothing good ever comes out of Ohio?

This is not a spectacular CD by any stretch. It is similar to other music that I have heard done better. But neither is it a bad CD. The skills are there, I think maybe they just need to improve their songwriting skills a bit to make their songs a little more interesting.

The mix seems kind of flat to me, it doesn't sound big and layered and grandiose like an awesome power metal album would. Everything is nice and clear and sounds good, but there just isn't any punch to it.

Still, overall I have heard many bands that did not measure up to this album. Despite everything it is still a pretty decent listen.

Maybe I should start hosting American Metal Idol; I could be Simon AKA "The Asshole."