Drummer John Macaluso (Malmsteen/Ark) has assembled a strong line-up of fellow musicians on this solo album. They include Dream Theater’s James La Brie, Ark’s Adrian Holtz, Riot vocalist Mike Dimeo, Chris Caffery (Savatage/TSO) and fellow Malmsteen band mate Randy Coven.

As you’d expect the music follows a progressive metal vein although at times the melody can be lacking in favour of extended solos.

Highlights? James La Brie belting it out on ‘Soul In Your Mind’, the instrumental ‘T-34’ and ‘Gates To Bridges’ where Mike Dimeo puts in a sterling vocal performance.

Not an instant album by any means but worth persevering with and of definite interest to fans of Dream Theater, Ark and Savatage.

***

Review by Jason Ritchie