Collision Course is the new creation by the melodic power/progressive metallers who are leaded by Andre Andersen, who provided that the band is the canvas on which he presents his personal musical expression and he is also the man behind the production of the cd. A very important fact is that the album is the sequel of the famous Paradox(1997),which is a really ambitious movement but also very interesting lyrically and artistically speaking…We have a concept cd then and whereas the first part with the way people conceive god and how they invoke god and they experience this vital hope of the “divine”, Collision Course refers to the suffering caused by the collision(that also explains the cd title) towards the Western and The Eastern world, a collision fuelled by religious fundamentalism. In this way, faith becomes fanaticism and god from a redeeming sanctuary is reduced to a casus belli and a cause of hate. This is a burning issue but here it is approached carefully, with no sides taken and in an artistic way.

In the music field now, there is an important change. Vocalist John West is replaced by Mark Boals who is known to most by his work on the Malmsteen albums. This choice is a pleasant surprise and the fact is that his voice enriches the songs with a different colour and his famous impressive high notes. The compositions are characterized by the well known Andersen’s atmospheric tunes, the orchestration is terrific and the bassist’s Marcus Jidell’s cello provides an extra beautiful touch and the guitar riffs are there off course but naturally submit to the “predominant” keyboards. The album’s highlights are the explosive "Divide And Reign", the atmospheric semi-ballad "High Noon At The Battlefield" and the heavy and imposing "Blood In Blood Out".

For the band’s fans there is nothing else to add - they are going to listen to it anyway. However the cd is so good that someone who has no contact with the band’s sound can start with it. Nice work…