(Progressive) Kings Of Modesty - Hell Or Highwater - 2009, MP3, 320 kbps

Finnish Kings Of Modesty have created an interesting brand of metal for themselves. You can find elements of power metal, progressive rock, AOR and modern metal in this package, not to mention some gothic flavours here and there. Virtuoso playing, fine production and high'n proud vocals from Jason Flinck (Brother Firetribe bassist) combined with quite original and catchy songwriting make this album a clear winner, even though there might be a couple of less impressive songs somewhere between the better tracks.

A "winner album" needs a strong opener, and that's what the band have in "Never Touched The Rainbow". It's a powerful rocker with a bit of a Sonata Arctica/Malmsteen meets The Disturbed vibe a times. If you can imagine that. The next couple of songs are fast-paced, metallic numbers which merely pave the way for one of the album's highlights, the haunting "Starin' Eyes". It's a fine song with slightly HIM-like keyboards and a fine chorus. The aggro-metal of the title track fails to impress me, but it's followed by a couple of excellent songs, the prog-meets-hardrock anthem "Suicidal Mission" with its' furious guitarwork and the big ballad "Once Upon A Time".

"Tailspin" is a good song too, although the chorus sounds uncomfortably high for a male vocalist. "We Will March Our Way" is another aggressive track, and it also features some exceptionally high vocal melodies. What next, music that only dogs can hear? "Miracle" takes us back to a more accessible direction, as it is a rather good song with a strong chorus and excellent axemanship. Finally, the closing number is a suitably dramatic ballad "Two Hearts Collide" with almost Queen-like harmonies.

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