The cold winters of Finland must be the main reason behind the million and one power metal act that Finland spawns each year. Requiem is another one we can add to the already pretty long list (although the band was already founded in 1999). It wouldn’t do the band justice to simply call them a power metal act. After all comparing Requiem to compatriots Stratovarius is like comparing apples with pears. You can figure out yourself which one the pear is and which one the apple. I don’t really care.

Now then, what makes this symphonic power metal act different? The answer is pretty simple: a lot of progressive elements. These Finnish guys have listened to Dream Theater very well is all I’ll say about it. Unfortunately the progressive knife seems to cut both ways. While said parts definitely make the music more interesting and exciting so to speak, it also terribly distracts from the general flow of the song. Where Stratovarius (each and every album) get away with simple straightforward but powerful riffs and melodies, Requiem struggle to keep it interesting; a problem not unknown to Dream Theater either.

Requiem’s magic works only to a certain degree. When you listen to the splendorous “Shrine Of The Ocean” you simply have to admit that this is an excellent song. The same can’t always be said about the other tracks.

Especially during the first song “Blinded” the magic seems to backfire. Simple straightforward power metal that gets you in that true sing along feeling, but loses grip when Requiem decides to go on a technical power trip.

The production of this album is decent but definitely a matter of taste. Anyone who reads my reviews regularly, knows I’m not a big fan of Mika Jussila’s productions. This album can be added to the list. Why? Simply because it’s too frigging clinical and I don’t like clinical. Metal should be heavy, not as clean as a whistle. If I would want my music clean I would listen to classical music. But I don’t.

One last thing I have to mention concerns the vocals. As I listened to the album for the first time they annoyed me without end. Like I often say: this type of metal stands or falls with its singer and at first spin it wasn’t just falling; it came down crashing. However, and this speaks in the man’s advantage, once you get used to his rather weird voice it starts to get better. At least he has his own sound!

It will be interesting to hear if these Fins will be able to tighten their song structures in the future. For now: decent but nothing special and room enough for improvement.