TOUCHSTONE / OCEANS OF TIME (2013)

The fact that I've never heard before about this band made me very curious about this album. "Oceans Of Time" is entitled the band's, already, fourth official release. This UK based five piece act consists of Kim Seviour on lead vocals, Adam Hodgson on lead guitars, Rob Cottingham on keyboards, Paul Moorghen on bass guitars and Henry Rogers on drums.

The album kicks off with the first single "Flux". A heavy riffing track with a strong dose of a modern progressive sound and Kim's solid performances on front row. Next, "Contact" is a more relaxing tune with a very nice melody and a 'darker' vibe and the first moment that impressed me here. "Taboula Rasa" features an amazing guitar work, especially the solo, and it's another mid-tempo cut with a brilliant melody. "Fragments" includes some Middle Eastern elements and make this pop-rock song one of the highlights here. Love it!! Another killer song and, of course, another highlight here is the stunning tune of "Shadow's End" which is, from what I have read, the final part of the Shadow trilogy that started in "Discordant Dreams" in 2007. This song features an incredible melody some epic pinches here and there and the fact that I pushed several times the repeat button makes this my personal favorite from this new record!

Overall, this is an extremely interesting album all the way. As I already said on my prologue, I have never heard about this band before and this album surprised me in a very positive way. The mix of the classic rock sound along with a strong dose of some progressive, modern rock and even epic elements plus the emotional performances of Kim Seviour make this record a very good purchase for every fan of the above mentioned things. 
Heavy Paradise's Rating : 8/10

Track List :
1, Flux
2. Contact
3. Tabula Rasa
4. Fragments
5. Spirit Of The Age
6. Shadow's End
7. Solace
8. Through The Night
9. Thunder & Crickets
10. Oceans Of Time