Band:	Metalusion
Album:	Metalusion
Style:	Progressive metal
Release date:	2011
A review by:	Fat & Sassy!

01. Ground Zero
02. Frozen Dream
03. Egyptian Danza [Al Di Meola cover]
04. Colors Of Infinity
05. Illusions Of Starlight
06. Don't Let The World Pass You By [Jean-Luc Ponty cover]
07. Mirage [Jean-Luc Ponty cover]
08. Ascension
09. The Purple Lagoon [Frank Zappa cover]
10. Filthy Habits [Frank Zappa cover]

Glen Drover. Some may know him as the founder of the power metal band, Eidolon, or his work with Megadeth and King Diamond, but I would assume that most of you weren't too familiar with his name before reading this review. But it's the music that matters, not names. Fortunately, Glen Drover and his band deliver some very good jazz fusion to the ears of rock fans who have an interest in such instrumental music.

I suppose if I had to make a simple comparison of this album to something the average metalhead would know, I'd say if Symphony X strapped their jazz boots on and put out an instrumental album, the end product would be something like Metalusion (This is a very loose comparison though). I think my favorite aspect about this album is that every single musician brings something to the table in every song. While they are showing off their technical prowess on their instruments, no one is ever stealing the show thanks to great song writing and the crystal-clear production. You can hear everyone playing their part at all times. I should also mention that while Glen does a great job constantly spitting out great solos, riffs, and melodies on the album (never soloing longer than he has to), Jim Glimor does a great job of shining just as bright on keys. He performs some awesome solos and even sneaks in some classical piano bits on a couple tracks when he is not layering the songs with the essential synth to give the music that soothing jazzy touch.

There are also four (if you combine "Purple Lagoon" and "Filthy Habits" as one song) excellent covers of classic jazz fusion songs that blend in perfectly with the album. I've always thought Al Di Meola's "Egyptian Danza" could have used a good metal cover, and well, here it is on this album. I suppose it's also worth noting that Vinnie Moore, Fredrik Akesson (Opeth), Jeff Loomis and Steve Smyth (both from Nevermore fame) make guest appearances. While that's cool and all for fans of those musicians, I don't think they really added (or took away) anything remarkable to the songs they are featured in.

While this album is not for everyone, it should please progressive metal fans with an interest in jazz music and people who've ever thought it'd be cool if a metal musician covered a Frank Zappa song (I know, very large demographic there). With an album that boasts such great musicianship and flow in terms of overall composition, it's always pretty difficult for me to hit the stop or skip button on my music player until Metalusion is finished. And if that doesn't define how a great album should be, then I don't know what does.