At its best, Prog can be a safe haven from the storm outside, a soothing experience with healing and escapist qualities. Genuine musicianship, pure emotion and a penchant for supreme melody make this music a journey, an experience for which records and headphones were invented in the first place. At the forefront of Prog music stands Richard West, renowned keyboard wizard and songwriter for British Prog metal pioneers THRESHOLD for over 30 years. Six years after their epic masterpiece "Legends of the Shires," West returns to these shores to deliver a long-awaited sequel. Not under the THRESHOLD moniker, mind you. But with a brand new supergroup. Prog fans far and wide, rejoice: OBLIVION PROTOCOL are here. And they bring us "The Fall of the Shires." The album has eight songs.

"The Fall (Part 1)" is the first track. Acoustic guitars lead the smooth opening, tinged with a bit of sadness. The melodies develop slowly, but just sit back and let them, because you are in for a real treat. I get hints of PINK FLOYD in this majestic piece. "Tormented" has a heavier guitar sound at first. The vocal harmonies are great, and they really help to provide melody in a more ardent song. Even when the music swells, the harmonies remain the main focus. "Public Safety Broadcast" is just that...a warning. The opening tones are smooth and easy but are followed by a thicker Metal sound. West's keyboards are wonderful as well.

"This is Not a Test" begins with fat, ominous tones that lead to a great chorus, and the sound in the chorus is catchy and tranquil. It is followed by a great lead break, with dancing bass notes. This song has both a thicker bottom and a more delicate top. "Storm Warning" is a piano led number with subtle harmonies and some very warm melodies in the chorus. It's about waiting out a storm in your life...they remind you that everything will eventually pass. "Vertigo" has both peaceful tones as well as tense ones. The combination of the two keeps the listener engaged...waiting for what comes next. The bright colors show in the chorus, which is glorious.

"Forests in the Fallout" has more aggressive tones, and they come at you with a sense of urgency. But the chorus is another bright spot in the song. This dichotomy is one thing that the band does very well. "The Fall (Part 2)" closes the album. Everything comes together in this song, and you finally get a sense of what the album is all about. The tones here are sweet, warm, and welcoming. "You finally get to home, back where you belong." Overall, this was an excellent album. Many of the Progressive tones were more subtle, but the harmonies and the melodies were there for the taking. It has a great combination of heavy warning tones with more delicate and ethereal sounds.