It's not often that when I get sent an album to review, I also get sent the complete story behind the songs on the album - kind of brings a whole new meaning to the words 'concept album'. Such was the case, though, for Italian Power Metal band DRAKKAR's first full length album in ten years, "When Lightning Strikes".

First here is an overview of the story. It starts out as your standard aliens invade Earth scenario, but only one person is abducted - Colonel Hal Gardner. As it turns out, Gardner has lived through many past lives and the aliens are using these as a way to judge the human race. Luckily for us, the aliens decide that we're not so bad after all, and allow us to discover hyperspace travel. They also do us a nice favor by fixing all the damage done when they landed, and even healing/bringing people back to life.

Now, onto the album in a musical context. Its 15 tracks long, with 9 'main' songs, and the other 6 are either instrumentals or introductions to the subsequent track. And they're all to a very high standard. The vocals and fretwork from both the guitar player and bass player are very impressive. The keyboards feature quite heavily throughout the album as well, but it doesn't detract from the overall feel. This is definitely an album that needs to be appreciated as a whole if the full experience is to be had. Whilst the individual tracks are good as standalones, it really does work better when you read the story first, then listen to them all together. I think the only complaint I would have with this is it isn't as clear as I'd have like it to be, the guitars sometimes sound a bit muddy.

This is a very ambitious album from the band, and they pull it off spectacularly. Fans of the band eager for a new full length release should absolutely check it out; it's a cracker of an album. "When Lightning Strikes" is an awesome sci-fi concept album and it breathes new life into the Power Metal world.