Difference

Following the exodus of Tomi Viitola from the fold, Jarkko Ahola was tapped for the subsequent tour of "Ocean's Heart", this band's magnum opus. After enjoying a good amount of success and mostly favorable reviews, minus some detractors who didn't like the way the story concept was constructed, by the critical field of the metal universe they set out on their next studio effort.

"Difference" is a departure from Ocean's Heart on many levels, but the most obvious one is the fact that it is not a concept album. There is a recurring theme of monogamous love and passion, but no underlying story to speak of. Another change is the diversity of sound, particularly in the way the songs are structured, but also in the various musical styles mixed with their power metal sound to give it a slightly progressive feel.

Some interesting instrumental devices include the Spanish classical guitar sound on the solo section of "Fly", in addition to the more eastern sound and odd tempo shifts of the rest of the song. We also have a much larger collection of ballads on this release in "The Mirror", "Sail Away", and "Green Fields". All of them have a good deal of interesting acoustic guitar parts, but the last of the three is highly nostalgic and almost sounds like a sequel to "If You Will Go" off the Ocean's Heart album.

Although there are more mid-tempo rockers on this album than the previous one such as the Stratovarius inspired "Secret Door" (which has some lackluster lyrics), the densely textured 7 minute epic of "Lucid Times", and the quasi-Nightwish inspired "New Life" we also have a good amount of fast rockers on here. "Lost Souls" and "We are one" are quick paced and quintessential Power Metal tracks that remind me a bit of Gamma Ray. Meanwhile, "World's Child" and "Wings of Icaros" are much more classically inspired and remind me of faster Yngwie songs.

As far as Jarkko's vocals go, his voice is much too throaty to claim superiority to Tomi Viitola's more husky and smooth soaring vocals, but he is a very commanding prescence. Unfortunately, not long after this album was released, he too would be replaced by current vocalist Nils Nordling due to conflicting projects. The metal community in Finland is playing a game of musical chairs with band line-ups that is very similar to the one that has been played in Germany between Iron Savior, Helloween, Masterplan, Gamma Ray and Freedom Call.

In conclusion, though not up to par with Ocean's Heart, this is a great album that will have appeal to fans of both Power and Prog. Metal. It is well produced, loaded with surprises, and dense arrangements. I proudly endorse it as one of the better albums of 2005.