We have finally reached the fourth release by CIIC, the band of Zak Stevens, whose voice is one of the most characteristic in the metal scene. This release is a crucial crossway for the further progress of the group, as it succeeds the very good “Burden of truth” and it is called to boost the group to the leading category of music.

After listening to the first song “Fatal Warning” I realize that CIIC want to cry out that they do not in any case want to stay static and entrapped in the well known mid-tempo and ballad-oid songs, but to appear fresh, modern, without losing their quality and identity and at the same time leaving their mark in the contemporary metal scene.

The next piece “Dead of dawn” confirms my first impressions, continuing with raised speed and aggressiveness synthesized with the special voice of Zak Stevens. The third song “Forever” slows down a little bit but is overflown with passion and inspiration. “Echoes” turns us back to the era of Savatage for a while, without in any case be considered as a copy of the past, the same standing for the amazing last song of the album “Every last thing” which reminds us of the glorious days of “Edge of thorns” and “Handful of rain”. The rest of the songs are kept in high quality levels with wrought guitar parts with “Soul breaker” standing out for its addictive mid-tempo pace and the extraordinary vocal performance of Zak Stevens.

This year signals the simultaneous album releases of both Zak Stevens with CIIC as well as Jon Oliva with Pain. Should we hope that their next release will be common? But until that happens (if it ever happens of course) let’s enjoy two magnificent voices accompanied by their personal groups in projects full of inspiration.