ADAMANTIS is a Power Metal band from Brighton, Massachusetts. They were formed back in 2016 and released an EP in 2018 called ''Thundermark''. This is their first full-length album and first to showcase their new singer Jeff Stark, who replaces the departing Rob Healey. Since the EP and this album, there has been a big shuffle in the band and now they are ready to show what they can do with a stable lineup.

For an independent band, I was impressed by the quality of the production. It's funny how far the production has gone from the early 80's to nowadays. The technology has evolved so much that you can equip yourself with the right equipment and be able to do a great job. You obviously need some skills beforehand but it always impress me the time and effort from these more unknown bands out there. You can hear the obvious influences of European Power Metal in the first notes of ''Unbound Souls'', even the guitar solos were somewhat reminiscent of what DRAGONFORCE has been doing the last decade and a half. Not only on this song but throughout this album, you can hear the guitar shredding that is associated so much with the England Powerhouses. This song could have fit really well with the heyday of the genre back in the early 2000's.

''Misbegotten Dreams'' has some Thrash Metal elements at the beginning but turns to a pure Power Metal anthem afterwards but it has a KING DIAMOND feel about the vocals at times. He did remind me a lot of Niklas Isfeldt from DREAM EVIL and a bit of Stu Block from INTO ETERNITY, like a mix between both of these fine vocalists. The vocalist has this surprising suitable style that really fits right with the tightness of the music.

''Puppeteer's Bane'' is probably the song that represents the band as a whole. It has the catchy chorus, the ever-present energy associated with the Power Metal and a killer vocalist. You have a drummer capable of setting the tone, great guitar melodies and solos, soaring vocals and a huge sing-along chorus that always bring a smile to your face. That's what Power Metal provides to the fan, a sense of happiness in a sense.

To be fair, let's get this out of the way up front, ADAMANTIS are not the most original band out there, the music is your standard True Heavy/Power Metal and you will have the obvious comparisons to band like STRATOVARIUS, early HELLOWEEN, GAMMA RAY, STEEL PROPHET and many of the main bands in the twilight of the genre. They seem to be more straightforward and did infuse a lot of the European Power Metal bands but with the broad attitude of American Power Metal like JAG PANZER or SEVEN WITCHES. They were obviously influenced by both sides of the spectrum.

But no matter how you cut it, Power Metal bands, at least the best Power bands out there, have the ability to unite the different fans who will sing along to their catchy songs and crunchy solos. ADAMANTIS definitely falls into that category, they really transported me to the time that Power Metal was at the forefront of Metal music. They are very fast and the songs are very catchy though there is a lot of songs that might seem interchangeable. You don't get bored at all even though it's not the most original material out there. They keep your attention and the outlook of Power Metal is bright with exciting new bands like them and it's still a lot of fun discovering new groups for yourself of which there are plenty to be found!