Following the release of 'Law of the Blade' and 'The Dark Legacy' I had 'Paragon' earmarked for bigger things, but their last release 'Revenge', although very respectable failed to capitalise on earlier glories and sadly 'Forgotten Prophecies' pretty much goes the same way. This is however another very solid release, but at times they seem just to be going through the motions and the old problem of lyrical recycling is again evident. Also not helping the band's cause, is the string of line-up changes, longstanding drummer 'Markus Corby' departed before the album and bassist 'Jan Bünning' shortly after, thankfully 'Torment's' 'Christian Gripp' is now on hand to oversee drumming duties. Production is no longer courtesy of 'Piet Sielck' and at times it really shows, thankfully it's far from poor but does take the edge away from some of the material and ultimately is not up to the standards of the aforementioned.

'Paragon' are renown for opening albums with a real Power Metal face-melter and while 'Hammer of the Gods' is a decent lead track, which comes complete with the usual blazing fret work of 'Martin Christian', it's not quite up to the likes of 'The Legacy' and 'Impaler'. Things look up though with the top notch 'Arise', a good dose of 'Judas Priest' inspired Metal which is driven throughout by exacting rhythm and shredding fret work, the mid track slowdown is very reminiscent of 'Painkiller', but still a very good cut. The pulsating 'Face of Death' ensues in aggressive but hardly inspiring fashion, while 'Halls of Doom' hits the right spots with it's lively galloping rhythm and menacing lyrics. The instrumental 'Revelations' follows and promises in places, but for me the production doesn't do this piece any favours, with the drumming coming across awkwardly. Next up is the title track 'Forgotten Prophecies' which opens with purpose and energy and for the most part is maintained throughout, 'Babuschkin' snarls out the lyrics with gusto and as usual is well supported. The tempo falls for the more epic 'Agony', a slow burner, which to be fair opens pretty sluggishly, the pace is finally lifted mid track and proceeds as a decent pulsating rocker, but taken as a whole too tedious to really make the grade, despite 'Martin Christian' and 'Günther Kruse's' best efforts. The aggression levels are notched up with 'Souleaters' a song which attempts to balance nasty sections with melody, the latter comes across well but ultimately I think this needed more work. Firmly back on track is 'Gangland' which is 'Paragon' at their best, thundering rhythm combining nicely with 'Babuschkin's' snarling vocals doing the gutsy lyrics credit, whilst the duelling fret work is some of the finest I've heard recently- by any band! The momentum is maintained with the punishing 'Wargods' and what it lacks lyrically is made up for by energy, while a cover of 'Overkill's' 'Deny the Cross' is chosen to close and this is does in a thrashy yet controlled manner.

I don't believe this is the band firing on full cylinders, it has it's moments, but in my view is surpassed by their early '00's work, but while 'Martin Christian' and 'Andreas Babuschkin' are in the band, I still have faith in 'Paragon' producing more gems.