Band:	Ivanhoe
Album:	Walk In Mindfields
Style:	Progressive metal
Release date:	February 2005

01. Walk In Mindfields
02. Bless My Soul
03. Scared
04. Arrows
05. History?
06. ?or Crime
07. Enemy
08. Take Me To The Spirit
09. What Love is for
10. Who Will I be
+ Walk In Mindfields

Many thought the "old" (Formed in 1986) German Power-Progmetallers Ivanhoe was put to rest after the departure with singer Andy B. Franck (Brainstorm, Symphorce), but what really happened was that the remaining members Achim Welsch and Giovanni Soulas went on a long, long search, that lasted for around 3 years until Achim found Mischa Mang in a musical called "Jesus Christ Superstar" (Mischa played Judas).
This was in 2001, and it would take another 4 years before the first album was released, to be exact, the last day of February 2005.

The album "Walk in Mindfields" is Ivanhoe's fourth full-length album, this first since 1997, so you can only guess how careful Mischa was picked, they really waited until they'd found a singer that would fit perfect.
And Mischa was found, Ivanhoe wrote songs and recorded them, signed with Massacre Records and have now released the "comeback" album that's not really a comeback album.

The music is not the usual Power/Prog, that's very popular more South of Germany, instead I would say it's more influenced by the eighties and Dream Theater and alike, without getting really close, it's a great way to do an album.
And with Mischa's fitting vocals, this album is really worth hearing, but unfortunately it's not an unforgettable album.

Production is great and the material is good too, but missing the outstanding tops, even if songs like "History?", "Walk in Mindfields" & "Scared" is descent. All the musicians are talented, no doubts about that, no the problem is that I missing one or two tracks that would lift the album above the average.
Sure, Ivanhoe has what many bands missing musically, but this album isn't really a fair comparison with the potential these guys have.

But if you heard Ivanhoe's older album and liked them, I guess this is a safe buy, and also if you're into the "nicer" kind of Progressive Metal, the kind without to much turns and strange ways of playing, this might be something for you.
For the rest, I would recommend you to check up a song or two before buying, who know; maybe you'll really fall in love with Ivanhoe's music?

And btw, the Cover Art is really good too, IMO.

Check Out: "Walk in Mindfields", "History?", "Bless My Soul" & "Scared".