Released by: earMUSIC
Release Date: October 16th, 2015
Genre: Heavy Metal
Links: www.circle2circle.net
Line Up:
Zak Stevens – Lead Vocals
Mitch Stewart – Bass/Vocals
Christian Wentz- Guitars/Vocals
Marc Pattison – Guitars/Vocals
Henning Wanner – Keyboards/ Vocals
Bud Salvetti – Drums
Tracklist:
01. Over-Underture
02. Victim Of The Night
03. Untold Dreams
04. It’s All Over
05. One More Day
06. Ghost Of The Devil
07. Somewhere
08. Deep Within
09. Taken Away
10. Sinister Love
11. Solitary Rain
The first time I heard Zak Stevens voice I was completely and totally hooked. Just moments prior I was skeptical. As a HUGE Savatage fan, hearing someone else’s voice other than Jon Oliva was something I just didn’t think I was going to be able to tolerate. Not only was Jon and his late brother Criss the masterminds behind the music (along with Paul O’Neil,) but both men had signature sounds with the voice and guitar style that to not hear both was simply unimaginable to me. Of course, Edge of Thorns ended up being a pretty big commercial success for the band, and remains as one of my favorites from them. Of course as we all know tragedy struck soon after with the untimely death of Criss. Stevens helped keep the band forward moving despite such a tremendous loss, and Jon eventually returned as a co-singer. I have always thought that those Stevens fronted Savatage albums were just as amazing as the earlier stuff. Once the band took an extended hiatus (I refuse to call them broke up dammit) Zak started his own band Circle II Circle.
With the band’s 7th full length release, Reign of Darkness, the band continues with their tradition of making a totally different album from the previous while remaining true to their sound. What has always kept me coming back to CIIC’s music was the fact that, while it offered some similarities to his time with Savatage, it was a truly unique sound otherwise. Zak has such a distinct and powerful voice and an ability to write some amazing songs and has had some brilliant musicians supporting him that it is no wonder the music was so great. With this new album, it has a darker tone to it, and heavier, yet it still stays true to the Circle sound fans have come to know and love. Tracks like “Ghost of the Devil,” “Untold Dreams,” “Deep Within” and “Solitary Rain” run the gamut of between progressive, power, and traditional metal, from hard rockers to a beautiful closing track. Framing Stevens’ magnificent voice are guitarists Christian Wentz and Bill Hudson, bassist Mitch Stewart, keyboardist Henning Wanner, and drummer Marcelo Moreira, delivering devastatingly heavy and intricate performances throughout this incredible album.
Circle II Circle is back and has delivered the best album from their catalog yet. Reign of Darkness, as the name suggests, is a heavier, darker album from them, but nails what has made them such a fantastic band over the years, melodic, heavy, and captivating. This one does not disappoint, and will hopefully propel them to a higher profile position in the music world. If you have ever been a fan of this band or Zak in Savatage then this album should please you greatly.
Written by: Chris Martin
Ratings Chris: 9/10
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