This is the return album of the reactivated KATAGORY V. They disbanded back in 2014 but they are back with a new album after two years of hard work since their rebirth. I have not heard about this band since the early 2000s and they have a song on one of the Knuckletracks compilations. Listen kids back in my day, we had some Metal magazines that gave out some compilations to discover new bands like Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles, Metal Hammer amongst countless others, so that's where I discovered this American Progressive Power Metal band.

I remember back in the day they reminded me of ANGEL DUST a Progressive Power Metal band out of Germany, especially the ''Bleed'' era of the band. Later after that when I discovered a bit more from bands like NEVERMORE, EVERGREY (without being overly depressive like them at times....) and early QUEENSRYCHE, I felt the band really fit in with the genre without sounding the same as these bands and mixing also a lot of Thrash Metal elements distancing themselves from the crowded field of the genre from all counts. The one thing that comes to the forefront is the incredibly talented frontman with a very impressive range, Albert Rybka, also known for his work with bands like EMPYREAN SANCTUM and ACRACY.

Well, let's see. KATAGORY V play complex, driving Progressive Power Metal with class and finesse, aiming not only to rip your head off with riffs, but also to rip your head off with riffs and class, busting out a gamut of catchy, streamlined hooks and even some which duel with the raging, blistering riffs like the roller coasters at the Six Flags theme park. It's kind of like taking a big beat-'em-up bully and teaching him how to use his brain in his nefarious schemes instead of just his fists - this album has both the brawn and the intelligence in spades!

The whole band moves as a unit here, with vocalist Albert Rybka leading the pack with his howling charisma and unstoppable energy. His voice is really something that must be heard to be believed, as he doesn't really sound anything like anyone else in the Metal scene right now, but trust me, he is definitely in the upper echelon of Progressive Power Metal vocalists. The guitars here are aggressive and snappy, maybe even packing more of a punch than several of the so-called "hateful" Black and Death Metal bands! The rhythm section backs everything up with mind-blowing technicality and heart-stopping conviction, about enough to stop a goddamn bear in its tracks. The songwriting here is extremely complex and yet also extremely memorable, and there really isn't any sort of frill or extra catch here aside from it all just being ridiculously good.

I could have really done without that seepy ballad at the end in all honesty. I know it may be another facet of what they can offer but it felt just thrown in there. It hurt the overall quality of the album because you already had the mid tempo song in the form of ''Spirit of Vengeance'' and now you got a cheesy ballad at the end, well at least most of the album really can make us forget about this song....

If you want to listen to one song before anything (or if you only want a taste) of the band, you listen to ''Through Fate's Eyes''. The 8 minutes and half epic really is everything you ever want in a band, long drawn out intros, soaring vocals, complex musical wizardry keeping you entertained throughout. If you loved the early Ray Alder FATES WARNING almost, this is really in your ball park and you will be thoroughly surprised by the quality of the band and what they an offer.