(Radiant Records)
Total Time: 01:56:08

It seems that the two/three last years have made the Concept Rock Opera releases fashionable. On the one hand, we have Tobias with AVANTASIA, DEVIN TOWNSEND, DEE SNIDER with the musicals, the legendary TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and the artistic genius who hears at the name of NEAL MORSE.The particular musical composer and singer, a restless spirit, from a five-year-old child who was introduced to music, as a next child miracle, until his twenties that had already created two musicals! From then on, through a huge number of musical projects, he recruited his old “fellas” and collaborators like Eric Gillette on the drums, Randy George on the bass, Bill Hubauer on the keys and Ted Leonard (Jesus), Nick D’Virgilio Judas), Matt Smith (Baptist John), Rick Florian of WHITE HEART as Devil, Jake Livgren (Apostle Peter) as key characters in vocals and many others to make this double album.

This double album, as another alternative version of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, tells the dramatic story of Jesus. A purely white Christian epic about the life and passions of Christ, which is directly related to the Easter period to make someone feel better and “closer” to that particular album.

Here we will find countless influences from easy listening Radio Music, Gospel Music, Fusion but basically it’s a happy Rock album. In the vocal part, together with Neal, the rest are pretty much like Mike Patton in eras of MR. BUNGLE and “King For A Day …” of FAITH NO MORE, but mostly sound like modern QUEEN. As far as the structure of the tracks is concerned, Heavy style brings to DREAM THEATER but also with enough Blues Rock and pure-bred classic Rock elements. Morse, with his inspiration and collaborations throughout this album, succeeds in releasing a pleasant musical achievement.

It is highly recommended to listeners who like something more “guitaristic”, closer to classic rock times as well as STEVE VAI. Highlight moments are “Free At Last” with the female contribution by Talon David to the vocals and “The Madman Of  TheGadarenes” that resembles the epic moments of QUEEN and latest SAVATAGE. Especially, the first mentioned one is amasterpiece, as its title says, that exalts and liberates you literally. An ideal album for “blush” from a busy day of routine!

Rating: 6,5

Nikos Mathiopoulos