Ooh! Daddy likes this! With a striking Bollywood-like front cover I instantly lifted my right eyebrow (my usual what the heck? expression whenever I open an envelope with a CD inside). Antiquus are heavily influenced by India's culture. Anything on this CD proves it. Antiquus also happens to be another proof or the rule that Canada only has cool bands.  
Formed in 2002 they decided to create a concept album and enter the major league with one checkmate move. Things didn't turn out the way the band desired since prior to the release of Ramayana the two guitarists of the band departed. This eventually caused a delay in the band's schedule. Thankfully soon a replacement was found in the name of Jeff Dormer. And so Ramayana found its way (to my doorstep).
Antiquus experiment upon American Power Metal and often steal fragments off the Power / Thrash hybrid. Their sound is really epic, the solid guitar work and the cool voice of Scott Unger are mostly responsible for this. Bands like Iced Earth and Jag Panzer come in mind (the band also mentions... Nightwish but I really can't find any connection to them).
Extra weight has also been given to the lyrical part of the concept. Especially the verse that goes She wants to touch his rising flank, feel his corded neck, beneath her thighs is going to be my tagline from now on! The production of the album is as it is supposed to be (as it is clearly stated among several laws of the Metal police: check the paragraphs stating U.S. Power Metal must sound like this... OK, just kidding here, I don't think there are laws for these matters... well as far as I know of) warm, with a lot of bass, close to Iced Earth's Dark Saga sound.
I'm impressed by this debut attempt. I really hope to see Antiquus keep up the good work in the future.