The first interesting facet of Eyefear that made me take notice upon leafing through the booklet was that they have former Pegazus singer, Danny Cecati, providing the vocals for them now. While not the biggest Pegazus fan I did enjoy the one disc I heard by them and so I had relatively high hopes for 9 Elements of Inner Vision. What I received however was some pretty standard Progressive Power Metal although I would be lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy it at all. Sometimes even I break my own rules of listening, I for some reason own both Vanden Plas and Pagan’s Mind albums even though it seems that both groups sole reason for existing is to make Images and Words part II. Thankfully, Eyefear don’t take this tried and tired route of Prog Metal, they opt for a loftier goal, a blend of orchestral and rhythmically challenging Prog / Power meld.

As is usually the case with Progressive tinged bands nowadays, I cannot for the life of me remember more than one or two good guitar riffs, seeing as how they are never often repeated, instead what I think of after the disc is done and shelved are the great use of synthesized strings. Strange, that the most memorable aspect of a metal album is the string section. Being pushed right out in front of the mix also helps in me recalling the work of the keysman than it does anything else. It’s a good thing that he can play well too because he provides the most interesting parts of 9 Elements of Inner Vision. A very classical theme to the songs, not in the Stratovarius sense of raging ivory solos, the keyboards give an artsy aspect to the groups compositions, a certain intellectual dignity almost. When listening to this album, which is actually quote mellow, I wonder how Danny went from the speed metal, “hail to trueness” of Pegazus to Eyefear. Anyone expecting any similarities other than his vocal tone will be either pleasantly surprised or sorely disappointed. Continuing along with the whole artsy angle, Danny sings in a very dramatic (almost too dramatic in some instances) delivery which would seem like it become trite and annoying but it works well with this bands style of playing.

In case you hadn’t noticed, I really haven’t commented on any particular single track. That’s because to these ears, 9 Elements of Inner Vision is one long, fifty one minute and thirty one seconds epic. I can’t pick out and dissect a track individually, they all blend into each other as a big Prog / Power smorgasbord, and you know what, something tells me that the guys in Eyefear wouldn’t mind that description at all.