If there’s a missing link between DREAM THEATER and KAMELOT however tenuous, then Ian Parry of ELEGY and CONSORTIUM PROJECT fame could well be it. ‘’Visions’’ is Parry’s fourth solo outing and has been two years in the making. A worthwhile two year wait I might add.

Drafting in members from ELEGY, WITHIN TEMPTATION, KAMELOT and VANDEN PLAS ‘’Visions’’ is a fusion of Classic Rock, Prog and at times Power Metal all weaved into a tightly net concatenation. Drawing inspiration from his personal experiences and his views on multi-cultural society a great deal of thought and time has gone into this album and it shows. The opening of ‘’Innocent Minds’’ is a firecracker mix of ELEGY and WITHIN TEMPTATION with a soaring chorus. ‘’Fools Don’t Cry’’ has a KAMELOT type swagger as does the driving force of ‘’The Angels’’ The overtly commercial ‘’Smiley People’’ has a massive hook that wedges into the brain and the title track is just a great Hard Rock song. Parry’s voice is a true powerhouse reminiscent of a young MEAT LOAF at times and that’s no slur on him and with so many guest musicians casting their lot in it’s difficult to single any out for attention.

All in all there’s little to fault here and much to praise. Let’s hope it’s not two years until his next solo album. (Online March 11, 2006)