Wingdom - Reality - [Dockyard1]

2006-09-16

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.

Alon Miasnikov