Need I say it, yet another cracking Power Metal outfit originating from German and while relatively new on the scene compared to comparatives 'Grave Digger', 'Sinner', 'Rage' and 'Helloween', are certainly giving them a run for their money. If you're not familiar with 'Paragon's style, they play an uncompromising 'Power Metal' in the vein of 'Grave Digger' but with the distortion and intensity of bands like 'Iced Earth'. Vocally 'Andreas Babuschkin' sounds like a crossover somewhere between 'Grave Digger's' 'Chris Boltendahl' and 'Piet Sielck' with a splattering of 'Udo Dirkschneider' on the pronunciation, perhaps not to everybody's taste, but he's got a good range and plenty of power. This release sees 'Paragon' really upping the tempo, forget ballads, this is one blistering rocket ride from start to finish, while the production courtesy of 'Piet Sielck' is as you would expect- top notch.

The frighteningly good semi epic 'The Legacy' opens in stunning form, the rhythm work is just divine, while the blazing guitars are just superb, combine this with powerful vocals on decent lyrics and you've got one cracking track. Following in fine form is the slashing ripper 'Mirror of Fate', a brisk energetic cut, highlighting shredding fret work and monumental drum and bass. Slightly less intense, but still thunderously driven is 'Breaking Glass', another jewel featuring sublime riffs and rhythm, lighter but powerful chorus and more choice axe work from 'Martin Christian' and 'Claudius Cremer'. The tempo is lifted once again for 'Black Hole' a simplistic yet bristling number and while the chorus comes across a little awkward, still an excellent track. The tempo falls for the powerful plodder 'Eye of the Storm', which in parts is reminiscent of 'Manowar', especially with the blood and glory lyrics, overall not the best effort present but still a hearty fist-raiser. Better still is the brisk rocker 'Maze of Dread' and as with the previous track this has shades of 'Manowar' too, in particularly, similarities to the song 'House of Death', also featured is a lightning fast solo and good use of backing vocals. Not quite hitting the mark is 'The Afterlife' a plodding affair, that soon becomes wearing, the glimpse of Death Metal vocals are not called for and all told probably the weakest cut present. Back on track is the 'Primal Fear' sounding 'Green Hell', another rollercoaster ride of thunderous rhythm, blazing guitars and power laden vocals, that help make this one of the album's top tracks. Ensuing in splendid form is the chorus heavy 'Back from Hell', a heavy hitter that's driven by relentless drum and bass and further upheld by furious guitaring and 'Andreas Babuschkin's' distinctive vocals.

The bonus track featured with the DigiPac is worth getting your hands on, as 'Into the Black' is an excellent song, reminiscent of classic early 'Metallica' but with a potent Power Metal grooving rhythm, although some of the lyrics are a little trite, this is still a powerful cut graced with roaring fret work from the duel guitarists.

Ok, this isn't the most original 'Power 'Metal' you will hear, but they unquestionably play it with absolute passion and skill and I've got these boys earmarked for even bigger things!