To be honest I am not much a fan of Power Metal, True Metal or progressive power Metal but what I have always admired is the professionalism, dedication and brilliant musicianship that most bands of this type of Metal bring to the table and the band ENDLESS is no exception.  Professionally played and produced, these Brazilians who last released an album almost 10 years ago and have gone through some personal changes over the years before coming back onto the scene with this their 3^rd album, Endless have managed to produce an album that is able to stand up and compete with any of their present day contemporaries.

All the songs are perfectly constructed and arranged, possess a good groove and excellent guitar work and are depicted with majestic and symphonic arrangements combined with progressive elements, catchy and memorable refrains and soaring theatrical vocals full of pathos, recalling stories of survival, hope and the belief in oneself, lyrical content that is a welcome contrast to the tales of warriors, dungeons and dragons normally associated with this type of Metal. The problem I have however is that the song have a similar build up, middle section and ending, never much varying in construction, the vocal melodies and accentuations almost always done the same. Sure some songs are faster paced than others and some have an added slow atmospheric build up but this is not enough to really be able to distinguish one track from another. Everything is almost too perfectly produced, too clean and sterile and overtly melodramatic, theatrical and pathos ridden.  Also as is usual in this type of genre, the overuse of keyboards tend to suffocate the songs drenching them in so much syrupy pathos and denying the excellent riffs of any heft or depth.  There are some standout tracks on offer however such as "Code of Light" or "Black Veil of Madness" which are straightforward power metal songs, utilising galloping guitar riffs and a forward driving groove while other songs such as "Lady of the lake" take a more laid back approach and although those songs are good the whole album consists of either versions of those songs either fast and galloping or mid-tempo and steadily grooving. The lyrical theme of "Puppets on a stage" deals with concepts of personal freedoms in an age where people are constantly being monitored for their own security while being lied to by corrupt politicians urging the listener to not be controlled by the powers that be and to forge their own path. The song changing up the tempo with a combination of a more groove orientated middle section that leads into a faster closing section before ending with the help of some well- placed keyboard flourishes. Similarly 9^th song "Under the Sun" is also played in mid-tempo with a melodic section that reminds of Devin Townsend type melodies with words being whispered for dramatic effect creating an interesting listening experience.

Personally one of the standout tracks is the closing number "Celestial Dreams" as it dares to try something slightly different, managing to create an almost melancholic and sombre closing song that invites the listener to catch their breath and contemplate on what has come before, the sound using a slow yet melodic riff that sometimes at least to this listener gives one the feeling of being under water. Offering a welcome change of pace to the more straightforward previous tracks the song is also useful in closing the album. Fans of such bands as Stratovarious and Sonata Artica should be able to find much to enjoy on this record  while others not familiar with this genre of Metal would probably want to take a listen first before making up their minds.

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