By Vinnie Apicella

"There's a world here to show you, but so little time to share, The Kinescope is waiting, and I've saved a seat for you…" So reads the chorus of the opening track to this explosive new release. Take heed upon entering Jacob's Dream's world, you're likely to be in store for a rude awakening as you wonder where the last ten years vanished to! This is not just another "ho hum" black metal crossover but instead a throwback to the slightly melodic, dominant power metal of yesterday nudging its way between the likes of past favorites as Omen, Liege Lord, and early Queensryche! Fates Warning also comes quickly to mind… before streamlined future productions stripped away their dual guitar brilliance, and commercialism intruded on their song writing prowess. I kept thinking along the way here how stunned listeners would be if the new Iron Maiden album sounded half this potent-there are those elements present here that will leave you wondering! Singer David Taylor, in possession of the octave climbing vocal scale in the finest Tate-like tradition, particularly noticeable during the brilliant power ballad, "Tale of Fears". The guitar work here stunning… the drumming, bombastic, and the production raw-edged and flawlessly dated. All the parts at play suggest some of the best Europe's had to offer in recent years… and surprise, Jacob's Dream's American! This new self-titled debut captures the true metal tradition in every way imaginable much like fellow Metal Blade members, Sacred Steel, though thematically dissimilar, their playing possesses that same killer instinct and determination that will continue to establish this quickly resurfacing institution!

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