A cracking album that is full of fast-paced and heavy melody.

Straight out of Finland, Corona Skies is a six-piece band that has spent several years perfecting its sound for this, their debut album. The optimistic press release describes them as the "bastard child of Sonata Arctica and DragonForce" but if press releases were ever right about this sort of thing, every album would be brilliant, right?

Whilst it's doubtful those two names will enter your mind when listening to 'Fragments Of Reality', Corona Skies do have plenty going for them, once the now traditional (pointless) intro piece has finished. 'Big Boys' Blues' and 'The Social Network' both hammer along at a good pace, with plenty of heavy melody backing Oskari Salovaara's solid vocals.

If anything, they remind me a little of Freak Kitchen displaying the same manic energy and nifty musicianship. The only real misstep on the album comes next, in the shape of 'Falling Sky' which takes the pace down and is ultimately rather boring. One out of eight isn't bad, even if it is a waste of six minutes. Elsewhere, they manage an eight and half minute song perfectly well with 'Sea Of Mediocrity' mixing tempos admirably and never outstaying its welcome.

'Fragments Of Reality' is a cracking album that is full of fast-paced and heavy melody (aside from the aforementioned naff track). It's very European sounding with a real identity that doesn't steal from others. I'd certainly recommend checking them out as they may be a band to watch out for in future – especially if they can keep this level of quality going.

Alan Holloway