But let's start at the beginning. Musically the guy and his crew (including former CANDLEMASS-singer Thomas Vikström) has taken on Melodic Metal with influences from the Malm..., ehm, classical music and Power Metal, the borders are fuzzy anyway. The problem always had been that the songs had sounded quite good, had been very catchy, but unfortunately had left the ear and brain just as quickly without leaving any kind of lasting impression.

If you add the re-released "Stargate", then "Reflections" is the third STORMWIND-album within a year, apparently no case of creative blockade. After the intro "Genesis" "War Of Troy" is thundering out of my speakers, driven by fat double-bass and heavy guitars, I could not remember the band being that heavy, finally they seem to be living up to their name! This could very well be the way to finally win me over, too!

But let's continue - "The Man Behind The Iron Mask". The problem again, especially vocally a little too tame, I miss the bite of the whole thing... Ah, but the title-track is making up for it again, very good melody-line, good flow, I think STORMWIND indeed have found their way to myself, also because "Assassin Of Honour" is another swift track, with good chorus, sounds very round! And "Ramses" rounds off the album with a slight Egyptian touch, very good...

One can say that "Reflection" for sure is the best album by STORMWIND so far, because this time they've managed to even win me over, which is something ;)

But seriously, STORMWIND never have had their breakthrough before, despite all of their albums, but this record now really has everything it takes, the compositions have power, sound fresh and both musicianship and arrangements are top-notch as well.