STAR.GATE is a Greek lyrical metal band (their words) from Thessaloniki. Unbroken Diamond is their fifth album and is once again released through Steel Gallery Records. The first time through of listening to this, I thought they were a Christian Metal band and the second time through I was convinced they were a Christian Metal band but on Googling further could find no evidence they were in fact a Christian Metal band.

First, I don't have a problem with any Metal as long as it rocks hard, communicates with its lyrics and musicianship and gets me to feel something. Unfortunately, this has none of those things. When I heard they were a lyrical metal band (and I thought any music that wasn't instrumental was lyrical??), I thought maybe some great philosophical messages or insightful strong lyricism was the order of the day but no.

"Unbroken diamond shine on, you are the treasure, you are all
Rise up again and be my destiny"
"Unbroken Diamond"

"Once in a million years a star is born
Raised by his fathers love, taught to be strong"

OR

"A star is born now in the sky
Lights all the universe...lights all the universe"
"Believe"

"I am the tree that grows again...Unexpected power
"I am the tree that grows again...I am the light"
"The Tree"

Oh yeah and don't even mention "Christmas Night" - there are very few Christmas songs that work, and this is definitely one that doesn't. It's completely unforgettable. It's these lyrics that made me feel like it was a Christian Metal band espousing songs about Jesus. Aside from the cringe-factor of the lyrics, musically it veers between mildly interesting and dull. The problem begins with the vocalist Vassilis who just sounds uninspired and strained.

"Unbroken Diamond" has a nice galloping riff that's central to the song but with the lyrics above and an 'OK' vocalist, it fails to excite, and an opening track (discarding the short instrumental "Unbroken") should excite and make you want to hear more. Following that up with the insipid ballad "Christmas Night" and I was struggling. The Hammond organ that accompanies "Believe" is a bit dull and the song sounds messy in the last part of the song with too much going on.

"Don't Think about Tomorrow" has a lead guitar opening that sounds like it needs leads to bring it to life. The chorus is catchy but Vassilis's higher pitched vocals in the chorus grates after a while. The lead guitar solo is a bit more interesting, but the drums are plodding. The theremin accompanying the acoustic guitar on "Sunlight" adds a bit more interest and variety but it all sounds a bit twee with the lyrics

"Burn out the night (Uhhh huh huh) Sunlight" repeated I don't know how many times...

A nice piano joins flute for a calm end and it piqued my interest but that's EIGHT songs in. The final song "Diamond Dust" is instrumental like the first and actually I really liked this with its acoustic guitar, piano and violin. If this was a debut album, then I could say that the band has time to grow and write better songs. However, this is their FIFTH album and the band have been around for over 18 years. To be honest this is Melodic Rock at best with it verging into AOR territory and it did nothing for me with its twee and cringy lyricism and pretty average musicianship.

The production is very good however as you can hear everything clearly, but this is a small saving grace on a less than average album.