There have been occasions in the music business when members' departure were the only answers, take the exoduses of Paul Di'Anno and Blaze Bayley in and out of IRON MAIDEN as examples. There leaving created additional bands where the vocalists had the ability to prove themselves once again, for better or for worse. Same can be said about Andi Deris's leaving of PINK CREAM 69 and into the grabs of HELLOWEEN. I can try to find you many similar cases and it would take all night and I don't have that time unfortunately. All I wanted to was exemplify you that these kinds of changes sometimes are implacable and crucial for the beginning of something that might top former doings. In 2010 ZP Theart, the amazing and highly talented South African vocalist, decided to leave his founded band DRAGONFORCE in order to start something fresh and more of his own wishes. That decision is pretty common amongst artists that wish to express themselves as they would like without others opinionating too much about it. Therefore, Mr. Theart created the newly founded I AM I along with three other British fellows. Unlike the high technical constructiveness that loomed over DRAGONFORCE, Theart aimed I AM I to become more subtle, driven towards the classic and contemporary edges of Heavy / Power Metal with the occasional mixing of Hard Rock and AOR. "Event Horizon", released independently by the band with the aid of Plastichead Distribution, is the first Metalized journey to the stars and the first stage for glory.

Before reaching the music, I have to admit that most of the sound production was pretty impressive, though I failed to find that out in the opening, and strongest track of the album, "This Is My Life", the mixing was rather badly made, especially when it was hard to listen to the lead guitars and backing vocals under the massive cloud of bass drum attack (The album was mixed and mastered by ex-HELLOWEEN and MASTERPLAN's guitarist, Roland Grapow). Other than that, even with the modern sound, I AM I sounded decisive and with several 80s reminders. As for the material, it began with an actual ride towards the shining stars and ended back on earth without a wide grimace on my face I might add. I AM I sought to impend with the same heaviness that has been serving bombastic type of Euro Power Metal, but with British Metal flavours, and conjure it together with melodies al'a IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST while keeping it somewhat emotional in the vein of Hard Rock and AOR. Though it sounds a rather wide selection, I wouldn't exactly call their efforts as too genuine or too mind-blowing.

Surely Theart's vocalsare swift, breathtaking by their range, and emotive as a Power Metal singer should sound like and Jacob Ziemba's playing abilities are incredible and matching many other guitarists playing the same mixture of genres, but that sense of catchiness that has been the leading factor throughout the album might sell I AM I records but it would have the same deep entity or content as other Euro Metal bands as VISION DIVINE for instance (See I didn't mention DRAGONFORCE because it is not their place). Yes, I AM I try to reconnect to their 80s roots and I am aware of that, but running over and over on the same line won't work for long. No doubt that they have several blasting hits to become classics on their own like "This Is My Life", "Wasted Wonders", "Silent Genocide" and "Kiss of Judas", which is can be particularly excluded from this list because it presented a version of the band that might win them my future admiration. This track is both catchy, strong with its chorus and mighty riffing and rhythms, but also complex and mysterious. I like the older flame, that is why I admire "This Is My Life"and how only Theartshould be the one to sing it and with such a musical background overcastting his voice, yet I believe that there is more to 80s Metal music, it has more content that people would think. "Event Horizon"is a great album and it would craze melodic Metal fans. If you expected something genuine this is not the place but it will keep you occupied nonetheless.