The first album by THE ORDEAL from Hannover, "Kings Of Pain", was ok , but not really spectacular, even back then it was quoted by myself as "quite regular German Metal". But this time I should admit that they caught me by surprise. I didn't see it coming. Their sound is very much and quite clearly identified as Euro melodic Power Metal. There is a mix between AT VANCE / NARNIA / MASTERPLAN / VICTORY / FIREWIND / CLOUDSCAPE, Something like that. But their asset is the leading duo at the helm.

First the vocalist sounds like the dead-ringer Patrick Johansson of ASTRAL DOORS / WUTHERING HEIGHTS / SPACE ODYSSEY who is one of the best Ronnie James Dio clones. So, in my book, it's a high valued comparison. Yet he really deserves it, his performance through the whole recording is truly impressive, with enough variation to display his huge range but even more, obviously his amazing feel & sensibility ("Dragon Tears", "Second Sun") but also a faultless diction dynamic with nice impact on his perfect utterance. His style is almost theatrical in his interpretation, recalling the immense Shakespearean Rob Halford but also the great Jorn Lande. His rendition of the song "Here Comes The Flood" created by Peter Gabriel is very interesting and risky, truly heavy in its orchestration and arrangement, setting the stage ideally for his deep roaring.

Second, the guitar player and mastermind Mr. Kai Reuter (ex-VIVA / FAIR WARNING / WEINHOLD) unleash a strong performance, his playing is really complete from intense Neo-Classical Shredding ("Descent From Hell ") to SRV's Blues Rock Rhythmic ("Cybercross", "Letter Of Time") from sensitive soft soloing ("Dragon Tears") to Lyrical almost Schenkerian licks ("Here Comes The Flood") from fluid legato runs ("Black Rain", "Cybercross") to speed picking flash ("The Innocent") each and every fretboard technique is used and displayed with class through a tasteful fat sound. Even with the nylon classical guitar ("Dragon Tears") his tone is still perfect, he is also responsible for an amazing bass playing very efficient and rigorous. Reuter also has handled perfectly the production and the mix from A to Z. Loud applause for such a monstrous job, his lifetime achievement...Mr. Reuter you can be proud.

To complete this perfect picture, the album was mastered by Michael Wagener (ACCEPT / DOKKEN / SKID ROW). You know what: let's run & run faster to buy it!