After having released two succesful EP's, Copenhagen, Denmark based Melodic Progressive Metal quintet THE VISION ABLAZE have now released a full length album, called "Youtopia". They derived the title from Thomas More's Utopia, who believed that nowhere could be found or achieved the perfect society. The band thus believes it is important for you all to partake in rebelling against authorities that control through fear and lies, or so they say in their bio.

They start spreading their message with "Absent", and with that one they immediately start giving their all. No soothing intro, no respite, just setting everything ablaze. However, they stay true to their genre. It's all energy and power but they stay very melodic. "Under The Killing Moon" underlines that last part, with a softer intro and a general feeling of more laidbackness. Which doesn't mean it lacks in strength.

"Dreaming Awake" is more like the opener, very heavy and full of energy and anger and power. They really don't hold back for even a bit in getting their visions heard. Thank god for the melodies by the way or it would have been some chaos. "Subversion" is more of the same, except they slow down a bit for a touchier part near the middle. In "Fall From Grace" it's actually the other way around, they start slow but end hard and fast.

"Into My Brain" has an even tighter grip on your throat, but in "Fear" they fall back on the structure from "Fall From Grace". They really have their song compositions and general style down though. They know what they're all about and what they can do, and they do that more than well, although the Progressive elements are a bit more hidden.

"Monster" is a bit more easy going than any other song on the album, but it does have a killer guitar solo near the end which really puts it all together. In "Utopia Calling" they fall back into their good old habits, and ending note "A Jaded Miracle" is the perfect one to finish with, all powerful and energetic and melodic. These Danish sure know how to rock.