The opening ‘The Beast Within’ keeps things moving (think current Symphony X), avoiding the pitfall of far too many progressive acts (exploration/musicality at the expense of good songs).

A nice play on dynamics, even dropping down to lone acoustic guitar (also used on ‘Everlasting Farewells’ and to close out the 8:29 ‘When Morning Comes’) before reinstating electricity, unfortunately that intensity is a rarity elsewhere. A quick solo within a meandering jazz context does not a rock song make. ‘Enter The Carnival’ is one exception, a pure power metal speedster, lasting 3:40, the shortest duration of the nine choices. About 80 seconds of lone piano kicks off ‘Restless Show’, then remains an undercurrent throughout the lengthy (7:06) mid-tempo number. For some reason, they end the disc with Helloween’s ‘Eagles Fly Free’ (greater keyboard embellishment), a stylistic departure from the Alkemyst sound.