By now, Robert Reed has completely mastered the musical vocabulary and syntax of 1970's Mike Oldfield and this third Sanctuary album drives the point home. Done by a lesser artist, this would be close to plagiarism but from Robert Reed, the homage expands to a wonderful work, this time slightly less Oldfiedesque. You hear some Magenta, some Kompendium, too and some adventurous meanderings outside the Oldfield sound. A Delightful disk.

This is a remarkably accomplished work, from an obviously versatile band. The style evokes a little compatriots Mystery in the sense that it is easily accessible prog rock but the range of styles is impressive. In it's heaviest moments, Rise reminds me of Evergrey but when it switches to symphonic mode, they drift into The Enid territory, quite effortlessly. And this, without counting the main leitmotiv sung in latin (the "from sea to sea" motif ) and using an almost medieval choir.

Another impeccable offering from Discipline. Perhaps a little more mainstream than previous efforts. The Van der Graaf Generator influences are still there (The Body yearns, Life Imitates Art) but not omnipresent and Parmenter and Co try themselves at short form ditties like the delightful Love Songs.or the vaguely-Dire Straits-y Here There Is No Soul. Early favorite: Burn The Fire Upon The Rocks, the longest track with is blistering, grandiose guitar and keyboard ending..