An album that ticks a lot of the right boxes when it comes to this style of music.

Assignment's last album 'Inside Of The Machine' was an excellent concept Sci-Fi Metal Opera which featured many guest vocalists such as Michael Bormann, Robin Beck and Mats Leven. On this new release, the band's fourth, the man behind the band – guitarist and composer Goran Panic – has on this occasion opted for just one male voice; that of Helker front-man Diego Valdez, who it has to be said possesses a fine set of pipes, and well suited to Assignment's version of Melodic Power Metal.

What I also really liked about this new release is the fact that Panic and the band have opted to make their songs shorter, tighter and, for me, more approachable than what has come before. So, if you're partial to a bit of Metal with a Progressive edge, and a passing resemblance to the likes of Primal Fear, Axxis et al, then 'Closing ...' is an album you should definitely give a listen to.

Opener 'Evolution' is a bright and self-confident way to start things off; tight musicianship, hard riffs and a satisfying vocal melody combine to show just what Assignment are doing musically these days, with a promise that if you keep on listening the rewards will come... And come they do, in the guises of title track with some wonderful riffage (again from Panic), the absolutely superb 'Genetic Slavery', which has a hook to die for, and the mid-paced 'Variaxis', which sees Valdez dueting with the band's backing vocalist Maria Jose Ledy Pot to great effect. Finally, the epic album closer 'Between Two Worlds' is an over-the-top Metal romp full of galloping guitars, killer musicianship and clever arrangements; it's also the track where Valdez cements his new found place in the band. I hope this collaboration between himself and Assignment goes from strength to strength.

Maybe not as well-known as a lot of the other bands who play this kind of Melodic Power Metal, Assignment – with 'Closing The Circle' – have an album that ticks a lot of the right boxes when it comes to this style of music.

Ian Johnson