I go through phases where I’ve had just about all the power and prog that I can stand, and I’m in one of those right now. So, in the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll admit that I’m feeling kind of uninspired to write about a lot of the CDs sitting on my desk now. That confession out of the way, I’ll push on.This is the first release from the new band of former Edenbridge drummer Roland Navratil and keyboardist Frank Pitters. Not surprising then, the keyboard seems to be the primary instrument featured on Project Destiny, a strike against it already in my book.

The record starts on a promising note with the opening of the title track, an operatic piece that puts me in mind of Queen’s more fantasy-based material, maybe something from Queen II. It quickly reverts back to a more stan-dard prog/power blend, but not a bad song. A nice guitar riff opens second track “Arrogance and Rapture,” but it quickly fades back into standard, keyboard heavy fodder with soaring vocals.

That seems to be a theme here with several songs – “Cry in Despair,” “Inner Circles Sympathy” – opening with great guitar riffs from Martin Mayr and settling back into that mellow, overly melodramatic style that ruins so many prog-flavored melodic bands.

There are some interesting moments scattered throughout the record. “Inner Demons” is one of the better of-ferings with a bouncy, sort of classical feel. “The Edge of the Blade” is one of the few tracks that keeps things fairly guitar heavy throughout the song. “Cry in Despair” offers a nice counterpoint with the soft and heavy switches on the verse.

At other times, though, as on “Dreams Never Die,” the sound is very Dokkenesque. I was also disappointed with album closer “Don’t Pay the Ferryman,” which, after a dark gypsy feel on the opening turns into an April Wine wannabe.

I suppose the music is well enough played, the hooks are decent and singer Jake E. has his moments. If you’re a big fan of Europe and similar bands, Dignity is probably worth a listen. Personally, I don’t dislike it, but I can’t find much to recommend here either.

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