This cd was recorded live in Tokyo in front of what sounds like an enthusiastic audience helping the atmosphere of an already very good cd. I feel this is one of Sonata Actica’s best cds. The sound is very good, making many of the tracks better than the studio versions. The guitar playing is higher in the mix with crystal clear riffs and solos which are not wild but well played and enjoyable. The performance of the band is good throughout the cd. Plenty of tight musicianship, speedy, rthymic drumming, some good emotive singing in the quieter tracks, decent bass and good guitar work.
The music is a mix of progressive rock, some heavy stuuff and some classical influences. It’s quite varied and easy to listen to. The first two tracks ‘Weballergy’ and ‘Kingdom For A Heart’ and track 7, ‘Respect the Wilderness’ are similar. Good pacey riff with decent solos, nice keyboard fills and powerful drumming. There are some slower tracks such as the sinister and slightly disturbing ‘End of this Chapter’ and the thoughtful ‘Replica’ where the singing is at it’s best. ‘Black Sheep’ and ‘Wolf and Raven’ has plenty of good guitar and keyboard interplay and steady bass playing. I don’t think therev any bad tracks on the cd. I would recommend this cd and the quite recent cd ‘Unia’ to anyone interested in some well played prog. rock with intelligent lyrics.
Review by Chris Greenwood
