This is the first release by this Spanish band. Lorien consists of three Torderas, David Tordera (guitar), Jordi Tordera (vocals) and Josep Tordera (guitar) as well as two Ruiz', Dani Ruiz (drums) and David Ruiz (bass). I'm not sure if these are 2 different sets of brothers...but that would be cool and is unusual in a band these days. Rounding out the line-up is Jaume Corvera, keyboards. Their music is a Power Metal style with some more epic elements, lots of keyboards and even the use of female vocals in the form of duets on a couple of tracks.

The music of this band, although initially may sound a bit too familiar, is a very good mix of speedy double bass drum style Power Metal (Rhapsody, Sonata Arctica) and a more epic and operatic style along the likes of Nightwish or Edenbridge. Galloping guitars are very up front in the mix and there's lots of great riffs, harmony leads and other instrumental passages that are very good and very exciting. Lots of instrumental changes and lead harmonies as well as a very Quest For Fire-like riffing on The Island Of The Dragon suggest an Iron Maiden influence and the use of epic and celtic-flavored acoustic parts with choruses of voices bring Blind Guardian to mind. Vocalist Jordi Tordera sings in two very different styles on this album. On the first track, Ballad Of The Night, he starts with a very medieval and very Falconer-like deeper vocal which is then mixed in with some more higher pitched Andre Matos/Timo Kotipelto style vocals. The problem is, his voice sounds strained while singing in the higher registers and really weakens some of the songs a bit. His heavily accented voice really sounds like Klaus Meine (Scorpions) on the track, Don't Be Afraid. The Silent Mermaid, and The Island Of The Dragon both feature male and female vocal duets between Jordi and someone simply listed as "Ellen". These work O.K., but I prefer the band when they stick to the more straight ahead power metal. Jordi's voice is good on both those tracks as is his performance on Aurora Borealis. When he avoids vocals lines that strain his vocal range, he sounds good.

Overall, I think this band tries too hard to not just be another speedy Power Metal band and I applaud that. In the process though, they end up sounding like many different bands from one song to the next. They need to decide the direction they want to take with their music and just go for it. The music, the riffs, song stucture and all other aspects are very good. The song arrangements are great and this album really grows on you. I think this band really has potential musically, but I think they still need work in the vocal department. The verses and choruses, if you listen carefully, are very well structured, it's just that the vocals need to be more powerful, less strained and more melodically in sync with the rest of the music. I'm really looking forward to hearing more from this band and if they can improve on the aspects that need improving (i.e. vocals and sticking to one overall musical style), then I think they have a chance to be an excellent Power Metal band. This album would've been a Surprise Of The Month if not for those limitations.........Good work for a debut guys and keep at it!!