Beyond Tomorrow

Ion Vein's Beyond Tomorrow is a pretty good find. We aren't talking about greatness here but it's a solid debut album by this Chicago-based band that mixes power metal with progressive metal. In fact, Beyond Tomorrow is equal parts No Exit (by Fates Warning), the Warning (from Queensryche), Programmed (Lethal's first album) and early Crimson Glory. Ion Vein's lead vocalist, Russ Klinczak, sounds like an even mix of Geoff Tate ('Ryche), Ray Alder (Fates Warning) and Midnight (Crimson Glory). Chris Lotesto and John Malutka, the guitarists, both do a good job. Malutka's style even reminds me a bit of Criss Oliva (Savatage) and Randy Rhoades (Ozzy). The drummer, Scott Lang, must be a fan of Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy because he has a eerily similar style. And Brian Gordon does more than an adequate job on bass, he's pretty dang good. As I was saying, this isn't a great album but it does have it's moments.

1. "Horizons" - Great opening! It reminds me a little bit of the opening to Dokken's album Tooth & Nail, "Without Warning". And it's just as good, it builds and builds and becomes more intense, the guitar is really heavy and crunchy, just the way I like it. The keyboards really give this song an epic feel.
2. "Reflections Unclear" - This song's intro is fast and heavy and then slows down when the vocals begin. The chorus picks up where the intro left off. This song reminds me a lot of some of the stuff off of the album Programmed by Lethal. And there is a definite Fates Warning slant to the song, too.
3. "Fading Shadows" - This tune opens with a cool bass solo which is soon followed by Russ Klimczak's excellent vocals. This is another song that has a heavy Fates Warning sound to it. Maybe a bit like something off of Awaken the Guardian or No Exit. Good song.
4. "Heart of the Matter" - Here we have a ballad in a Fates Warning or Lethal vein. It's a pretty good song that picks up the pace a bit as it goes on. Klimzcak's vocals do get a bit monotonous on this one (a recurring problem throughout the album), it wouldn't hurt if he hit an occasionally high note.
5. "Static Vision" - Decent song, again sounding a lot like Fates Warning and very heavy on the guitars. The guitar solos (done by both guitarists) towards the end of the song are pretty good.
6. "The Bridge of Dawn" - A nice song that starts slow and turns fast and heavy. Need I say it again? "The Bridge of Dawn" is very Fates Warning-like.
7. "Here Today Gone Tomorrow" - Good, strong song. Fast-paced, I would compare it to early Queensryche meets No Exit-era Fates Warning (again).
8. "Beyond Tomorrow" - Good track, very similar to some of Lethal's work or maybe some of the songs from the Warning by Queensryche.