Fata Morgana

I read a couple of interesting reviews on this album before reviewing it ... and I guess it explains why I am a bit disappointed. Sometimes, when you read a good review, you think this one seems really cool ... and in fact, it is not. Well I guess our readers know that feeling better than I do ;-) Let's go back to Helloise. This band plays a kind of power/prog metal, influenced at the same time by Dream Theater and by traditional German power metal. Fata Morgana is their fourth effort. Well, expect nothing less than melodic metal here, progressive break there and sometimes fast & powerful riffs inside the groovy rhythm section. The songs are very easy to get into ... may be to easy and the nice melodies have been heard two thousand times before. Actually, this is what is going on my nerves. Lana Lane is around, but this Fata Morgana is too "predictive". Actually, it is a bit interesting on first two tracks, but after, it just fade away. Helloise split-up and this is more or less a comeback from a band who was already unknown is the 80's. The production is a bit "short" for my taste as the overall sound is really strange considering my calendar shows 2002 ... and please don't tell me they wanted a sound like in the 80's ;-). Many might accuse them for not being original ... and this is my case. If you collect all power/prog CD, don't miss this one. Otherwise, here is another CD that you will enjoy on Monday and you will have forgotten by Friday. At least, this Fata Morgana confirms one thing : too much bands out there !!!