Blackest of Hearts--RealAudio

The followup to 'Book of the Dead' is not nearly as strong, but still a good release in its own right--the former just spoiled us a bit, is all. Still similar in sound and context as the band's past works, and enough flavor to please most fans of Power Metal. On a down note, it appears at this time as if vocalist Rick Mythiasin has since left the band.
The chug and gallop of "Rainwalker" is nice, and "Blackest of Hearts" has some tasty stop-and-go churning. Both "Truth" and "Shattered Apart" are good, with "One Way Out" being paced and methodical.
"Killer's Confession" starts out all-acoustic, and then kicks in with a strong dose of bottom heaviness.

TRACK LIST: Truth/Rainwalker/One Way Out/Shattered Apart/Among the Damned/Bolero/Mirror, Mirror, Life After Life/Magenta/Blackest of Hearts/Martyred/Killer's Confession/Magenta (Reprise)