What really is Progressive Metal, after all? The best answer is: the blend of Metal essence with Progressive Rock elements, Shorter, simple and efficient, and any other word isn't necessary, because in this way, the mind of a fan is able to deal with what is coming this way, be it in a melodic way like QUEENSRYCHE or FATES WARNING, in a complex and eclectic way as DREAM THEATER, or even dealing with touches of extreme Metal tendencies. And the Russian quintet RETURN OF THE SOUL works in a very good way, as can be heard on "Digital Dream. Part 1. Echoes of Thunder".

It's their second album, and one will find a combination of classic Progressive Metal (again, the references are FATES WARNING and QUEENSRYCHE) with some extreme elements (due the vocals and some guitars' arrangements). Of course such a way was used in some moments, but these guys know what they're doing, creating a form of Progressive Metal that's abrasive and technical, full of keyboards orchestrations, but with a heavier and abrasive outfit in some moments. And it's really good and personal, full of energy and able to reach many Metal fans of different genres due its energy and melodic appeal. The sonority isn't what their music deserves, because it sounds a bit raw than the necessary, but for an independent band that recorded an album in the middle of the actual tensions and war there (remember: citizens are to blame, just the leaders and politicians), the work of Dmitry Ovinov on the recording, mixing and mastering can be said as good. But don't worry: things aren't so hard to deal with as the words could show.

Another good feature on the album is that the quintet evade extremely long time lengths (only one of the songs lasts more than 6 minutes), and for having a good idea on what they're doing, give a spin on "Реальный мир" (very good Progressive melodies with heavier arrangements, and the contrasts between harsh and clean tunes on the vocals are really good), "Нейронет" and "Дисконнект" (both songs are plenty of catchy melodies and fine keyboards parts, and very good contrasts of ambiences), "No Pain" (a song with a clear accessible set of melodies, with good rhythmic conductions of bass guitar and drums), "Одиночество" (this one is another one with accessible melodies), "Душу запрячь - сердце открой" (the guitars and keyboards parts are really showing a very good dynamical work), "Звёзды укажут путь" (this one seems to carry some elements of Gothic Rock in some guitars arrangements, and its melodies are hard to resist to), and "Раскаты грома" (this one is near traditional Heavy Metal with abrasive vocals, but what good melodies it has).

RETURN OF THE SOUL is really a promising name, and as one becomes used to "Digital Dream. Part 1. Echoes of Thunder", the more one will be anxiously waiting for the part II.