I believe that all of the readers know, at least, one or two bands that existed and deserved a chance to record an album. I'm speaking of bands that disappeared into the sands of time without a trace after playing shows and recording demos (if they did it). We can say that NEPTUNE, a fine Swedish quintet, is one of them. After 30 years, the first album, "Land of Northern", came to see the light, at least.

Their musical genre is that same old and good epic Heavy/Power Metal from the 80's. You won't find similarities of their musical work with German Power Metal School, but with NWOBHM and those excellent and catching melodies of the seventies (on names like URIAH HEEP). It's not something original (even on the 80s), but has its value back then, and now.

This album was recorded in the middle of the 80's, and only now it is released (don't ask me about the details, but you can find them on the band's homepage). Of course it will sound a bit moldy due the time spam of 30 years between the recording and the release. To be honest, it would be fine for an independent record in the 80's, so let's see it in this way: the balance between melodies, weight, and aggressiveness was done in a good way, being clear in a satisfactory level.

The band's songs are great, but the vocals need to improve. They aren't bad, but could be better. But even in this way, to hear songs as "Protector" (that shows very good guitars and melodies), the good tempos shown on "The Horse" (that has a classical and accessible approach into Hard'n'Heavy Metal), the heavy approach on the harmonies that can be heard on "Life Power", the excellent guitars shown on "Ready to Fight", the powerful and heavy "Afraid of the Beast", and the excellent technique used by the band on "Poem" and "Burglary Man" can be said as a privilege, because many fans of those days aren't with us anymore.

It's a good work, but I hope the band can bring something new and fresh as soon as possible.