Well, it is a choice. It wouldn't be mine, but hey, I'm not the artist whose name is on the beautiful cover. That is the domain of STARGAZERY, a Finnish Melodic and Epic Heavy Metal that has been around since 2005, and now have decided that the time is right for them to release their fourth album "Carnival Puppeteers" onto us as listeners. I bet you're still wondering what the choice is I mentioned at the start. Well, the fact of the matter is that I question the decision of the band to start of with the cheesiest and least interesting song of the whole album. on top of that "Eternity Calling" is the tune with the most debatable and questionable lyrics.

Because there is no bones about it, after that misfortune the band really takes control and delivers some good and Heavy Melodic Metal, with a lot of Epic bits and pieces that give away their many influences. And all of a sudden, the distaste that was in my mouth disappears and I start to enjoy what STARGAZERY is presenting me with on "Carnival Puppeteers". This rocks, this makes waves in the sky (this makes sense if you look at the cover), this has potential. The guitars sound louder, the bass has more power, the drumming is more direct and the vocals are way more convincing and interesting.

Don't get me wrong, this might be quite good, but it also is something that has been so many times before, and in some cases a lot better than what STARGAZERY is capable of on "Carnival Puppeteers". At the same time there are a lot of bands that just drop through the bottom because they can't hack it. this just means that in my opinion STARGAZERY is stuck somewhere in the middle. This will mean that some of you will think that "Carnival Puppeteers" just doesn't do it for you, while others will feel that this is bloody good, and that I am just an old grumpy fart who doesn't know what he's saying.

I for one have enjoyed "Carnival Puppeteers", but I never get the feeling that I'm listening to a band that is ready to conquer the world, but to one that is comfortable within its own skin and musical direction. And that is fine by me, as I think there are enough people around to really appreciate what STARGAZERY plays in the 53 minutes that make "Carnival Puppeteers". Oh, and look out for the two covers, from DIO and DEF LEPPARD. they are quite alright...