A really talenteened bunch of musicians who have everything they need to make a huge impact on the metal scene.

Ascension hails from Scotland, Aberdeen to be precise. Firstly I must apologise to the band because on my first couple of listens to this release, I dismissed them as little more than a band with an unhealthy passion for all things Dragonforce. So much so that at times I found it was hard for me to separate the acts and their sound. On the surface this could be a bit of a problem, but thankfully I persevered and soon found that Ascension have a real joy and excitement to their music. All comparisons that I initially formed fell by the wayside and I soon found myself warming to what these five Scottish musicians had come up with on 'Far Beyond The Stars'. It's an album that, at times, features some blisteringly fast Melodic Power Metal, is full of lightning quick fluid guitar solos and hook lines that are contagious and also features some clever, powerful arrangements that add an explosive edge to the band's music.

As for the individual songs on the album, 'Somewhere Back In Time' and the speed infested 'Blackthorne' start things off with a bang and you soon find yourself in need of a lie down so that you can catch your breath because the tracks speed past at an almost fast as light pace. However, Ascension doesn't give you any chance for a rest and instead continue their powerful aural attack with potent Metal songs like 'Moongate', 'The Silver Tide' and 'The Time Machine'. The albums tour de force is the nine minutes plus 'The Avatar' which proves, to this (at first) doubting Thomas, that Ascension have a big future to look forward to.

So to all the Metal heads out there, give this young set of upstarts a try because when you get into their music, you'll find a really talented bunch of musicians who have everything they need to make a huge impact on the metal scene.

Ian Johnson