This release from Melburnians Vanishing Point clearly demonstrates why the band is so popular, and how they have gained worldwide acclaim. Their new release The Fourth Season is absolutely world-class. No doubt many self-deprecating Aussies will listen to it and wonder in amazement at this band coming out of Australia. A strong reason for this is the fact that the production values are so high.

If you’re not familiar with Vanishing Point, they play a variety of melodic power metal that is incredibly, well, German. Which is why they are so damn popular in Europe, and why they were such a success in Germany particularly.

Curiously, even though this is technically a metal release, I have been playing this album at work, on my CD player, and nobody has said boo. Silvio’s vocals are so beautiful, and the music is so complementary to his vocal style, that the sound as a whole is both dramatic and incredibly pleasing to the ear. The melodic nature of Vanishing Point’s music means that is also more accessible for more people. In addition, the vocals in the album are not placed so high in the mix that they are absolutely dominant, and this, I think, is why Vanishing Point’s albums have such a full, dynamic sound: the vocals are as much an instrument as any other component of the music.

The album contains excellent keyboards, as we’ve come to expect from this band, silvery leads and solos, and absolutely tight, highly skilled musicianship. Listening to the album actually makes me think of the brooding weather depicted on the album: that building, pre-storm anticipation. I’m big on soundscapes at the moment and this album is absolutely at the top of my list.

Vanishing Point’s latest album is an emotional and musical journey, and one that will have you singing along, and waiting around to play it again and again.

The Fourth Season will be released in Australia and New Zealand on 26 September, on Surreal/Riot.