The Burning / Thunderstone (2004)

1. Until We Touch The Burning Sun

2. Break The Emotions

3. Mirror Never Lies

4. The Star Man

5. Spire

6. Sea Of Sorrow

7. Side By Side

8. Drawn To The Flame

9. Forth into The Black

10. Evil Within

Their last album had good metal songs yet bashed as a copy of Stratovarius by some critics. I don't know if they heard that or not, but this album was a big step up! The surprise started from track 1. They brought a mid-tempo song at the beginning. The song is very progressive and arranged well. It was a happy surprise for me. Track 2 is a typical Stratovarius type speed metal song. There are some more of the same kind of speed metal songs. However, the highlights of the album are track 1 and 9. They are very progressive and dramatic. In this respect, it is little similar to Masterplan.

This musical direction was even extended in next album, and the band started getting out of typical speed/power metal music.

☆☆☆☆