Old school Metal often feels like easily predictable style, and it's interesting to find any variety or uniqueness by new and upcoming bands. India's LUCIDREAMS released their debut EP in "Ballox" this April. And from what I gather from the internet, these folks have been around since 1994, and still this is their debut record. Better late than never! The EP starts with a self-proclaimed prologue in "Father Forgive Them". The sound is instantly infectious with the sharp Heavy Metal guitar sound and the Power Metal-esque vocals. Having listened to the album already a few times before I started writing this review, it's safe to say that the songs here are very memorable. "Brains Collide" reminds me of ICED EARTH with some insanely intelligent fast paced sharp guitar work. "Mighty Stripes" starts with the sound of a lion roaring in the eerie night time, but turns into a train wreck of really commendable head-bangable riffs. There are shades of DIO and OZZY that can be found in the vocals here, even though some may argue that both those singers were poles apart in their style.

The 4^th song is an epilogue to the 1^st song "Father Forgive Them" and it's an interesting melodic slow song with the same lyrics. It almost sounds like a Christmas Hymn, before the song turns into the 'real Heavy Metal Part 2' of the former song. The EP ends with the title track in "Ballox", and it's actually is a bit of a disappointment even with its variety and uniqueness of the riffs and the backing gang vocals. "Ballox" is simple EP with some very unique riffs and vocals. It's worth the time and effort for the fans of both old school and new school Heavy Metal. It's not without issues or drawbacks, but it does what is expected of it within its limitations.