Band:	Virus IV
Album:	Dark Sun
Style:	Progressive heavy metal, Progressive power metal
Release date:	May 2008

01. Intro
02. Frightening Lanes
03. Behind Me
04. Dark Sun
05. New Karma
06. Signs
07. Such A Shame [Talk Talk cover]
08. Silent Arrows
09. The Last Time
10. Soulrace

It's been a while that I was awaiting the first album of my mate Samuel Arkan. In the past we, at Metal Storm, have the chance to review the releases of his other projects and I always kept an eye on his work but also on the work of her loyal partner Magali Luyten that you all probably know now for her performances with Beautiful Sin and of course Ayreon. It's great to see that they can finally release their first album, "Dark Sun" a really nice mixing of Power Metal, Prog and modern Thrash and I hope that you'll love it like me.

Virus IV is a really atypical band. Despite the fact that the combo has a female singer, they're at the total opposite of the Metal bands with a female singer. First, because Magali Luyten has a powerful hoarsy rock voice (that you'll never compare with Floor, Anneke and Tarja?) but also because the band plays Metal with big balls. "Dark Sun" is a lovely mix of US Power Metal with great melodies, angry modern thrash riffs and even Progressive structures. The songs are complex with great guitars soli performed by Samuel at the best of his form, really this is this kind of modern and fresh albums which give you smiles and big "heabanging" feelings! This is catchy as hell and perfect for the live performances!

The main problem of "Dark Sun" comes from its really average production. It's not horrible but the sound is a bit weak, and the recording is not perfect. "Dark Sun" is this kind of powerful album which should have a perfect production but here this is not so good and in the end the album lacks a bit of energy and power. It's probably more a problem of money than anything else but let's hope that the band will have the chance to have better means of production for their next album. On the other hand, despite this little problem, the songs and the musicians are great and the artwork is really beautiful. For a first album it's more than promising, Virus IV has all what bands need to become famous.

If you still don't know Magali Luyten and want to see what a great singer is, please have a look on "Dark Sun". The first album of Virus IV is full of hits and I'm sure now that the band will find a lot of success and fans. Really this album has its own personal sound, this is original and fresh so if you're looking for powerful but technical Power Metal, have a look on this album and you'll not be disappointed. A great band is born today, definitely.