When were Power Metal and Symphonic Metal were born, and who are the ones who brought both styles to life? These questions can be answered in a very simple way: both styles were built on works of URIAH HEEP and RAINBOW, back in the 70s. They were the pioneers, so when some bands remind you of them, it's truly natural. So, we can say that these two bands are the links between both styles to Metal, as a branch is linked to a tree. So, if you feel some of these influences on the work of the Greek quintet STAR.GATE, it will be fine, and let me tell you: their third album, "Longing for Light", is really good!

It's a melodic way of playing traditional Heavy Metal with clear influences from the bands I mentioned above. Fine melodies, catchy choruses, a good level of musical technique on the instrumental parts and a very good work on vocals are the elements of their musical work. Although their music is nothing so new, it is done with personality, and is really charming.

"Longing for Light" was produced and mixed by John Jeff Touch, and the mastering was done by Mutant Bit Mastering. The sound quality could be better, because it is too dry to sound hollow in many points, but it isn't so bad, because you understand what they are playing; besides some tunes from the musical instruments could be better as well. Everything sounds really fine, but their best moments are the excellent melodic lines of "Don't Lose Your Pride" and "I Can't Go On" (the combination of good guitars and fine keyboards parts is really good), the excellent work from bass guitar on "Winter Morning" (an instrumental song based solely on bass guitar, but it's not boring to our ears), the heavy weight and musical accessibility show on "Answers", the charming melodies of "Give Me Your Wings", and the very good work of the band as a whole shown on "Brave". The band can make some improvements, but they are on the right path, and "Longing for Light" is showing their musical potential.