Wingdom - Reality - [Dockyard1]
Its quite difficult really labeling Finish metallers Wingdom, their music is a combination of traditional power metal A-la Sonata Arctica with more progressive elements, but it also has a Goth metal edge to some of the songs, its quite a somber piece of work, melodic yet dark.Main writer and keyboardist Mikko Harkin has paid his dues as keyboardist for Sonata Arctica, and vocalist Sami S. Asp has collaborated with Ex-Dream Theater man Derek Sherinian, guitar playing ability of Jukka Ruotsalainen also shines through with some good prog riffing and solid leads, all-in-all the there's some solid musicianship here. Power metal fans out there will also recognize the bass player on the album - Ex Rhapsody man Alessandro Lotta.
Tracks move from Stradovarious sounding power metal, such as the opening track and the heavy A Sigh Of Despair, to more prog tracks such as Tomorrow, both work quite well, but it's the combination that sounds best, such as in Lighthouse, a prefect unison of power guitars with progy keyboard work with some great drum work at it's end. I would probably ditch the female vocals that support in certain points, Asp has a strong enough voice that really brings to mind James Labrie at times, he doesn't need any assistance.
Though some songs work better than others, this has a definite air of quality, more for prog fans that trad power ones, it still manages to rock.