Germany's RED CIRCUIT release their third album "Haze of Nemesis", and for these Melodic Progressive Metal artists, it's been 5 years since their last release. In the interim, vocalist Chity Somapala released a second album with his Power Metal act CIVILIZATION ONE that also includes new drummer Michael Stein, so it's not as if the quintet has been idling in the breakdown lane creatively. Having taken in modest amounts of their debut from 2006 "Trance State", I'm sure at this point in their career the band firmly has established their own niche in a genre often plagued with derivatives of bigwigs like DREAM THEATER and FATES WARNING.

"Haze of Nemesis" at the core isn't going to be the most intricate, technically profound record to come down the pike - intent instead on providing a more modern, fluid, song based arc. Chris Moser will provide fireworks during certain lead breaks - check out "Serpent's Smile" for instance as he can weave in neo-classical arpeggio runs like the best in the genre. Opener "Oceans Apart" sets the bar for the rest of this record - the main riff a little staccato and darker than the Progressive norm, while keyboardist Markus Teske layers the keyboards in more of THRESHOLD manner, honing in on specific sounds to build tension and enhance atmosphere.

Chity Somapala has a unique voice that is one of a kind- when he chooses to be thoughtful in his lower register, we get gems like the first verse for "My Lonely Heaven" or the exotic nuances for the heavier title cut. When the man belts out in a higher register - there is a grit to the melodies that probably sits in the 'love it or leave it' camp for Progressive Metal listeners ... fortunately for me, the chorus work when this occurs in songs like "Believing a Lie" or "Spear of Fate" wins me over every time.

Prepare yourselves for a definite modern edge to certain tracks, be it through the use of distorted vocals or lower end guitar chord phrasings - but I think RED CIRCUIT use these as flavoring to their multi-dimensional sound. If you desire an action packed Progressive Metal song, look no further than the fireworks given off instrumentally and vocally in the almost 10 minute "My Serenade" - something similar to classic ELDRITCH meets MOB RULES.

"Haze of Nemesis" overall is the most impressive RED CIRCUIT album in their discography - for those of you who want a more song-oriented Progressive Metal record, this one could be very satisfying.