LOCH VOSTOK is back with a new voice at the mic and a new bass player for their eighth album, "Opus Ferox- The Great Escape" and it's a powerful step up! Without having to split focus, Teddy Möller is really able to let loose on his guitar. Newcomers Jonas Radehorn and Patrik Janson are welcome additions. Radehorn delivers one powerful performance after another and leaves us wanting for nothing as a replacement for Möller. And as always, the band delivers their signature style of prog that's grungy, melodic, and a wee undefinable. Grab some towels, boys and girls! Because "Opus Ferox" may well blow your face clean off!

LOCH VOSTOK go back twenty years and seven albums. But a newcomer to them might have the impression they have been around a few decades longer than that. Amid their proggy style, one hears a distinct throwback to 80s Metal. Normally, this sound and their vocals would have made me skip right over them, as my personal preferences tend to keep me in the lower tuned end of things. As such, I had no experience with this band before settling down to listen to "Opus Ferox." I'll admit, I went into this album wanting to hate it and with a pocket full of insults at the ready. But after I was able to put aside my reservations, I couldn't help but to find myself just absolutely loving these guys. They are not my usual cup of tea by far, but they are a good, strong cup of tea that will suit any palette just fine.

"Generation Fail" will have you nodding your head and saying, "EFF YEAH, MOTHER EFFER!" While you try to no avail to turn up your volume up past max. And for the deep thinker, "Save You" might hit you hard like it did me. The instrumentals are mild so you can focus on the incredibly powerful vocals. The lyrics are beautifully pensive and provide the listener some good, deep thought before shredding their face clean off in the back half. An absolute masterpiece of a track!

It will definitely be in the reader's best interest to invest in our guys' CD. Because there is an exclusive track on the CD, "Black Neon Manifesto," that I was fortunate enough to be given access to and boy, oh boy, am I glad! Because not only does Jonas REALLY flex his vocals, the rest of our guys really flex their skills and send us on a wild ride that you will enjoy repeatedly!

Overall, this album is superlative! I am glad I heard it! LOCH VOSTOK have knocked it out of the park with this one. The further you get in this album, the more you love it. I don't foresee you skipping a single track on this one because it is a heavy, energetic ride from end to end. It's going to make a perfect addition to any Metalhead's CD collection. Bravo, LOCH VOSTOK! You get a standing ovation from this listener! I said that's a #1 record!