Burden of Truth is the third album of metal band Circle II Circle. Most of us probably know the history of their singer Zak Stevens, formerly singer of Savatage. The band’s previous cd’s (Watching the Silence and The Middle of Nowhere) were very similar to the Savatage material in their Dead Winter Dead period; probably Zak will always be confronted with this Savatage era. The line up of the band is the same as on their previous album; Burden of Truth however is the first album that really sounds as the product of a whole band.

Although Burden of Truth is still breathing the Savatage atmosphere, the album really is different from the earlier stuff: it’s definitely their heaviest album so far. Of course there still are a lot of Savatage influences but C II C is now more and more getting a sound of its own. Zak’s vocals are more powerful, both guitar players play their solo’s very aggressively (which suits my taste) and the riffs are heavier than ever. The Burden of Truth is a concept album inspired by “The Da Vinci Code” and “Holy Blood Holy Grail”.

Much within that spirit, the cd artwork is said to contain a hidden message, but it’s hidden particulary well. Maybe you can find it, I couldn’t.

Favorite tracks are Who Am I To Be, Burden Of Truth and Live As One; all songs with a high Savatage quality and performed superbly. Live as One could have even been on the Hand full of Rain-album of Savatage, the riffs are very similar to those in Change. Songs that deviate somewhat more from the Savatage-material are Evermore and Messiah (great aggressive solo), which are both heavy, up-tempo songs. With Sentenced the band has a great power ballad.

Unlike many albums, this album gets better every time I play it. To all you Savatage fans: buy this great album. To all you who don’t know Savatage: it’s about time you get to know them! Savatage doesn’t exist anymore (perhaps maybe only on paper), but with bands like Circle II Circle, John Oliva’s Pain and Chris Gaffery we have three times Savatage. I’m not complaining.