Brainstorm

Downburst (Metal Blade)
By Martin Popoff

Nice balancing act, sounding dark and at the heavy end of power metal in the substance end of it, yet being seen as nice, personable guys a couple partitions from Edguy. Not sure I agree with the added Primal Fear-like symphonic elements, and, as usual, this is way too clean and robotic (a big problem for power metal, particularly double bass songs). But still, Andy B. Franck is ever the convincing thespian as well as a great writer of vocal melodies. Not much of a difference from the well-received Liquid Monster of two years back, save for the window-dressing. But nice to see Brainstorm sounding almost progressive metal and, in fact, quite diverse in their thoughtful arrangements.
(www.metalblade.com)