Excellent!
Fritz | 05/26/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sinbreed's first album is a very strong collection of power metal in the vein of Helloween/Blind Guardian/Gamma Ray. This isn't surprising as the vocalist is Herbie Langhans of Helloween-influenced Seventh Avenue and the drummer is Frederik Ehmke of Blind Guardian.
The album starts strongly with "Newborn Tomorrow" and continues right along with "Book of Life" (Herbie hits an incredible high note during a great breakdown just before the solo "Book...Of...LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE!!" You'll have to hear the song to know what I'm talking about.) The title track "When Worlds Collide" is quite solid, and while "Dust to Dust" is a strong song in its own right, it comes across as somewhat commercial when compared to the rest of the album. It's not a bad song by any stretch, it's just a little more heavy and less melodic than the others.
"Infinity's Call" and "Through the Storm" find the band returning more to their melodic side. "Enemy Lines" "Room 101" and "Arise" are all very strong tracks leading up to the closing tune "Salvation". "Salvation" varies a bit from the rest of the album by having a very sing-songy chorus (in a good way). It's a catchy group vocal reminiscient of old Gamma Ray or Blind Guardian but with it's own sort of sea-shanty vibe. Heavy yet melodic and a great way to close the album.
Overall, this album exceeded my expectations. Seventh Avenue's "Terium" was a pleasant surprise in 2008 and I'd say that "When Worlds Collide" edges it out in consistency and overall song quality. Herbie's vocals have really improved over the years and I'd put him up there with any of the great singers in power metal today. The guitar/keyboard solos are top-notch, I only wish they were longer. It's not that they're too short, but that they're so good that I don't want them to end. This is the type of album that you can not only listen to all the way through, but start over again at the beginning when you're done.
Highly recommended."
For fans of Power Metal ONLY
gc | 07/23/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"oh, man...where to start. been a fan of PM since my teens (am 37 now), and have to say that due to the genre's limited scope, not that many bands perk my ears. last one to do so was Hibria, with its fantastic...everything. along came Sinbreed, which in all honesty doesn't offer anything particularly new, but offers an honest to goodness straight power metal of the absolute best quality. production is crisp, clean, the band is super tight, and the vocalist sings with a lot of passion/emotion. i love, have always loved metal, and this is a serious "must get" for the fans in general. i mean, if you're into helloween, primal fear, gamma ray, blind guardian, you'll certainly love this cd. get it. NOW."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1