The Italian band Eldritch had made some quite impressive progressive metal albums in the past. Until now the band still hasn’t made the great breakthrough. In their history the album El Nino (originally recorded in 1998) was one of their most successful albums of the band. Songs with elements of Dream Theatre, Metalica and Fates Warning but performed in an absolutely superb way (‘No Direction Home’ and ‘To Be Be Or Not To Be (God) or the beautiful ‘Nebula Surface’).

I wonder why Eldritch did chose a more metal oriented way for the last released albums, in comparison with El Nino the current albums don’t achieve this high level of El Nino.

On this special re-release the band has recorded some bonus tracks, I’m sorry to say but these songs might only be interesting for the real fans; previously unrecorded demos and a cover of Malmsteen’s “Dreaming” are considered as added songs of less importance.

For all Eldritch fans, I guess you have already have bought the album in the past. If you didn’t buy it you should be ashamed! Just listen the bonus tracks before you buy. If you like progressive metal and you aren’t familiar with Eldritch, just buy the album.