CIRCLE II CIRCLE

The fifth full-length studio album by American Progressive Power Metal band.
Ex-Savatage vocalist Zachary Stevens has been leading this Power Metal band since 2001; the music isn't that much different from his former act, and his vocals have as much impact and melody as ever.
The thundering drums and soaring guitars sweep you along like a kayak caught in a raging flood. When the band slows down somewhat, as on the heavy, Bluesy "Out of Nowhere", the bone-crunching impact of the riffs remains. Guitarist Andy Lee is a shredder with genuine soul and emotional feeling to back up his technical mastery, something that's all too rare. Bassist Paul Michael Stewart and new drummer Johnny Osborn are a focused rhythm section that knows how to let the music breathe ably demonstrated on the midtempo, grinding groove of "Remember". On "Symptoms of Fate", the entire band works together on a slow-burning anthem more reminiscent of Living Colour than DragonForce. On "Consequence of Power", Circle II Circle proves over and over again that Power Metal doesn't have to be alienating and wanky, over-the-top absurd, or dependent on flashy solos in place of meaningful expression; it can be Melodic Hard Rock played with talent and both instrumental and compositional skill.
Circle II Circle has finally pulled off a great album that doesn't sound just like Savatage, mostly thanks to some impressive guitar work by Andy Lee. Now “Consequence Of Power” marks the next big chapter in Circle II Circle´s history!
AFM Records, 2010 (AFM 327-2). Made in Germany. Pressed in Austria. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Whispers In Vain 5:24
2. Consequence Of Power 4:25
3. Out Of Nowhere 4:10
4. Remember 5:30
5. Mirage 5:05
6. Episodes Of Mania 5:09
7. Redemption 5:31
8. Take Back Yesterday 5:03
9. Anathema 5:16
10. Blood Of An Angel 5:07
Total playing time: 50:40 min.


Samples: http://www.last.fm

For the first time on vinyl, the debut full-length studio album by American Progressive Power Metal band.
Circle II Circle marks the recording return of former Savatage lead vocalist, Zachary Stevens, after a few years of silence. Circle II Circle was formed by Zak Stevens after his departure from Savatage, after recording four albums. But though this band is very much Stevens' personal vehicle, the bulk of 2003's debut was written with the help of his old Savatage cronies, and it is therefore no surprise that both groups tread quite similar paths. "Watching In Silence" featured guest appearances from Zachary's former bandmates of Savatage, Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery.
The writing for debut began in mid-2001, when Zak and Jon Oliva entered D.O.W. studios in Tampa to start some rough demos of their early ideas. Most songs included on the album were co-written with either Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery. It should be no surprise this sounds a lot like Savatage, considering who’s in the line-up, with the epic arrangements, moody passages, and Zak’s soaring vocals, it could have had ideas for a new Savatage album, being very much in the vein of "Dead Winter Dead" or "Wake of Magellan". The same kinds of vocal melodies, the same kinds of arrangements, the same type of lyrical themes. If anything, Circle II Circle comes across a tad less 'Metallic' and closer to the Melodic Hard Rock (think AOR) that was so popular in the early '80s.
After this record release, the entire band other than Stevens quit and eventually went on to join Oliva in Jon Oliva's Pain.
If you really dig the mellower bits on the last Savatage albums, you need to get this!
Limited to 150 copies Black Vinyl.
AFM Records/Jolly Roger Records/Blackbeard, 2003/2022 (JRR-BB023). Made in Italy. Pressed in Germany. First press.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Out Of Reach 4:09    
2. Sea Of White 4:39    
3. Into The Wind 4:18    
4. Watching In Silence 4:25    
5. Forgiven 5:02    

Side B
6. Lies 3:26    
7. Face To Face 5:12    
8. Walls 4:28    
9. The Circle 3:30    
10. F.O.S. 6:40    

Total playing time: 45:49 min.