Founded in 2013, Turkish/ Ukraine quartet, LOSTPRAY, straddle the lines of Power and Traditional Metal on their debut album, "That's Why". I must admit, it's a style that can have an ardent following, but often limiting in the sense that the songwriting and hooks can be quite addictive to some, but not heavy enough for others.

It is quite apparent, taking in "The Story Ain't Like No One Knows", or the heavier "Speakers of Evil", that a love for 90's era METALLICA and the more mid-tempo fare from ICED EARTH, are two big bands that LOSTPRAY look to for inspiration. Based on the melodic phrasing and delivery of vocals, one thing is certain - if James Hetfield ever needs a replacement in METALLICA, guitarist Tufan Cigdem can emulate, and probably sustain, both the old Thrash period, as well as their more commercial Metal pastures.

Some riffs come at you from a sideways perspective, such as the opening 1-2 shuffle and guitar bends that carry "Alienation" that I haven't heard in quite a while (probably since the "Cuatro" / FLOTSAM & JETSAM days), Tufan and Burak dicing up the airwaves through mini-gallops and punishing, thick rhythms. Bassist Vyacheslav Babienko and drummer Nikolay Dovdopolov possess remarkable restraint and taste making during the moodier "Zero to Hero" - keeping the bottom end smooth, and then exciting as the energy elevates half way through the arrangement. "Killing Me" has that commercial verse and chorus combination that made the "Metallica" black album a worldwide smash, driven deeper by the snake charming phrasing and careful register highs and lows Tufan chooses to keep you engaged to the words.

This could be a sleeper hit for many in their collection. LOSTPRAY isn't going to blaze the fastest trail, they instead perform Metal in a tasteful manner - keeping the focus on great riffs, strong hooks, and clean, memorable vocals. One to watch, hopefully for years to come.<