This is the third full-length from this Greek epic/heavy metal band. Apparently epic metal is its own sub-genre of heavy or power metal, but if this is any indication, I don’t think I will be researching more of its bands.

It all starts promising enough on the intro. Mediterranean-flavored strumming and a subdued male operatic vocal provide the build-up to what will surely be a furious, powerful onslaught once we transition into the second track, “Mistress of the Sea.” Instead, the song starts slow and stays that way, with an oddly sparse arrangement of simple power chords and overwrought vocals. The singing isn’t terrible, but the choirs during the choruses totally derail the song (and the one after it, “Ghost Ship”). They’re so offkey and portentous that they border on comic.

The vocal stumbles wouldn’t be as noticeable if the music were denser and busier, but the empty space lets every flaw stand out that much more. And it’s not that The Reflection don’t have a good handle on melody or songwriting – it’s serviceable throughout, but consistently suffers from a lack of energy. Every track here is mid-tempo, sluggish and fails to generate any excitement. Songs like “Desert Land” and “Soul Salvation” could’ve both been much more entertaining had they been twice the speed. Only the title track actually manages to muster enough energy to be convincing, with more complex riffing and interplay during the intro, and a marginally rougher vocal delivery throughout. That’s track four, though, and there’s still an album’s worth of plodding songs to endure.

Maybe it’s just the epic metal genre is purposely retro and simplistic, harkening back to a time before double-bass and neoclassical fireworks. Or maybe that’s just making apologies. Maybe The Reflection is just boring.

As you might have guessed, I found it difficult to get through this album. With so many other stellar options to choose from in the pantheon of power metal – regardless of sub-genre – I don’t know why you’d settle for this.

[Visit the band's website]

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