With a strong predecessor, ‘The Cold Heart of the Sun’ (2007), to live up to, Maroon have decided to follow the path of mixing metalcore with thrash, death and Maiden harmonies. And it certainly is an excellent recipe!

The Germans have something on offer for just about everyone. You have quiet bits, you have powerful bits, harmonies, good-old-fashioned solos, artificial harmonics, German lyrics, English lyrics, you have melody and straightforward thrashing, you have break-downs, you have very nearly every-fucking-thing that can put a smile on a metalhead’s face!

Not only that; the songs are splendidly put together and form a great flow throughout the record. The 47 minutes in Maroon’s company practically fly past and every time you engage the CD, there are new little details that emerge.

What I’m saying, ladies and gentlemen, is that this is quality stuff. This is the kind of stuff I’d like you to go out and listen to before anything else, because Maroon are leaders, not followers.

Go get!