Before Finland starting spitting out quality bands on a national scale, they produced bands like this, and while Afterworld aren't the worst of acts, they aren't up there with their idols, who somehow became easier to emulate over the years. The thing about Afterworld is they pick bad singers, and Connecting Animals (which should win an award for its cover art – who farted, yes?) proves they could have been a great act had they the right set of pipes. All of this means their 2000 debut is, musically, a bit of a triumph, being a well-crafted record of melodic Power Metal in the Stratovarius mould, with the guitars owing a lot to Edguy and Iron Maiden. They fall in the same ballpark as Freternia and Wyvern; good, but not great, which is also how this album fares.
Songs like "Second Chance" and "Promises" really make me want to like this, but their cover of Abba's "Money, Money, Money" is just horrendous (at least At Vance make an effort, guys). "Tell My Why" opens with a cracking riff, with plenty of double kicking and...a disappointing vocal. Same goes for "The Seventh Year" and "Nothing To Lose" (which opens very well indeed). It's such a shame, as their follow up Dark Side Of Mind was pretty good, too. Musically, anyway. If you can get by this, then by all means, track it down. Otherwise, check out something by Twilight Guardians or Celesty: prescribed Finnish Power Metal that delivers on all counts.
