AFTERIMAGE is a Greek Progressive/Power Metal band formed in 2015 as NEON NIGHTS, changing to their current moniker in 2018. "II-Beyond Horizons Infinite" is their second full-length album, released on June 3rd, 2022, via Steel Gallery Records. Featuring three guitars and keyboards, plus a singer with a falsetto that harkens back to 80s powerhouses like CRIMSON GLORY and FATES WARNING, and a rhythm section capable of producing bombastic rhythms, and you get a band that brings 80s Power Metal up to the present date.

The album begins with a gentle intro, aptly titled "Prelude." This is a slow, melodic piece meant to set the stage for a true power shift into the next track. "Legion" is a throwback to a by-gone era. The 80s Power-Prog movement from that time is definitely present on this, and subsequent, tracks. The guitars are very reminiscent of CRIMSON GLORY and the vocals are also quite a bit like Midnight's. the rhythms are solid, and their Prog shifts are timed out well. "Transparent" has some early FATES WARNING vibes throughout the song. The added keyboards take it somewhat into Glam Metal, a little into New Wave, with the tones used. The guitar work is quite good, but it is offset by the keys. They feel a little alien to the song. "Newborn Horizon" makes up for that with a really solid power ballad. The early section is very well done, giving the song a fantastic setup for the back and forth you experience. The bass fills are superb.

"Illusions" and "Nightingales" are both well-paced tracks that have solid riffs and really good rhythms. These stick more to the Power Metal formula, though they are still heavily 80s Prog Metal influenced. The guitar work is at times sublime, at times frenetic. The keys layered under these riffs tie in much better, working to accent the song and value add to the tone. The conclusion of this record is the 15-minute epic, "An Overture to Mystic Arts." This is the defining track on the disc. It has everything AFTERIMAGE does well within both the Power and Progressive Metal realms. There are prominent bass lines, shredding guitar leads and fills, tempered and heavy rhythms, and drastic shifts in phrasing.

AFTERIMAGE is good at what they do. The thing I struggle with the most is the amount of cry and vibrato thrown into Chris' vocals. He is a great vocalist, he has tons of power and great control, he just uses more of that specific tone than I typically prefer. Please know this is a matter of taste, not skill. He has a tremendous voice. I love the way the band works around him. They meld into his voice well. I like the record; I like the overall sound of this band. AFTERIMAGE have released an album of well written, well thought out songs. They definitely achieve honoring the 1980s Prog Metal bands that heavily influenced them without coming off as cheesy copycats. They are unique and have a sound that fits their personality. Start to finish, this is a solid record with good songs.