Reviewed by Willie Hamilton

Here we have the cult-following Christian band's first album of new material for six years. The time off doesn't show as the result is well worth the wait. 11 tracks and just over 41 minutes of guitar-driven rock is not bad value, especially when the guitar playing is sufficiently different to most mainstream rock albums to retain your interest throughout. I am sure that the album has been warmly received by an army of American POL fans eager to see the band recapture former glories. However, this is no nostalgia trip as there has been real musical growth. Although it's quite a stripped down set up of drums, bass, guitar(s) and occasional keyboards, the overall sound is never sparse which is a credit to the production skills of guitarist Aaron Sprinkle. Sprinkle's playing style seems a little quirky at first listen but his overdubs are tasteful and never overdone. Whilst the songs themselves are lyrically strong and occasionally explicitly Christian, I can see these guys having a much wider audience appeal. In fact, many of the songs could be described as "atmospheric" and would be a good musical backdrop for TV or film in the way that Remy Zero's music is for "Smallville". The other players provide a solid base for Sprinkle's guitar work and Scott Hunter's vocals complete the unusual picture. Instant favourite track is "Crushed" but most of the other tracks grew on me. Well worth your time and money!

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