If you've not encountered KOBRA AND THE LOTUS before, imagine a less pompous NIGHTWISH and you'll get the idea. Classically trained singer Kobra Paige has a beautiful operatic voice but rather than focusing on grandiose symphonic arrangements they deal primarily in four-minute anthems. They're characterised by memorable choruses, nice, chunky guitar riffs and they play the type of Metal that even non-metalheads can enjoy. "Prevail I" is the first of two fan-funded releases they've got planned for 2017 and bar a couple of duff tracks, it's an impressive collection of songs that's hard not to like.

With one foot placed firmly in the Power Metal camp, "Gotham" starts things off nicely. Paige makes for an excellent focal point but the skill of the other players deserves a mention as well, especially guitarist Jasio Kulakowski who packs this introduction with enough fret burning to set a redwood forest on fire. It's followed by first-single "Triggerpulse," an absolutely huge sing-along that's almost certainly going to be a fan favourite before the year is out.

There's an early misstep with "You Don't Know" however, a few ham-fisted and childish lyrics making this a weak link on the album. The repeated line "you don't know what it's like to be me" in particular makes it rather embarrassing to listen to if anyone is in earshot, but they get back on track again with "Specimen X (The Mortal Chamber)." This one is another earworm but as good as it is it's overshadowed completely by the following "Light Me Up." This centrepiece is the absolute highlight of the record; a heartfelt and moving tribute to friends going through difficult times. It's uplifting, poignant and once it finishes, it's only too easy to skip back to the start and play it through again.

Elsewhere, "Check The Phyrg" sees Paige taking a backseat and letting her bandmates show off their skills in a four minute-instrumental, while "Hell On Earth" and the title-track make for an excellent closing duo. They do drop the ball briefly on "Victim" which is comparatively unremarkable, but this and "You Don't Know" aside, "Prevail I" is killer from start to finish. It's accessible enough that you could play it on a road trip with your in-laws without upsetting anyone. Skip the two dodgy tracks and you've got an excellent eight song record. Things are looking good for when "Prevail II" turns up.