Andrew Danso

Whilst the security of merchandising and record sales is often enough for any musician to show their hand in the industry, it too comes at a creative price tag, one that “One Without” simply can’t afford. “Thoughts Of A Secluded Mind” is a pop rock/metal effort. Placing it within the metal genre is only a given because of the heavier ‘chug’ guitars present. You’ll also find clean vocals, drums, and synth at the heart of the experience.

The music itself is firm, well written and well executed. Everything has been done in binary fashion (chorus, verse), that echoes themes from the later works of In Flames, Megadeth, and Evanescence. With it being radio, nightclub, youth club and hard rock café friendly, popularity to be gained and sustained is a mere certainty.

Such assurance is creatively expensive. “Thoughts Of A Secluded Mind” is very plain, and very, very stale. There’s nothing on the record that claims a ‘unique selling point’, it’s just an emulation of the acts previously stated. The album lapses into repetitive territory with each track guaranteed to contain a power chorus (or five), a key change and a melodramatic guitar solo.

“Thoughts Of A Secluded Mind”, is an accomplished record, setting out to do what it means to do; yet falls very short because of this. On one of your better days, this effort can sound as vibrant as an early Megadeth record. On a different day, as tedious as Madonna.

6/10 Metal-Mayhem.co.uk