Heh, melodic metal from Japan. Kamikaze-core, vain dreams about the Kurils… no - looks like our samurai brothers have something else in mind. "Last of the Mohicans" from Honshu and Hokkaido, ARK STORM, play a mix of Malmsteen and STRATOVARIUS. From Malmsteen they took the ritual martyrdom of the "stratocaster" (the one with the thunder and lightning on the cover). From STRATOVARIUS they took the incomparable volatility and importunate fantasy in the chorus. The funny thing's that their vocalist, being half the size of Kothipelto, will give odds to any of the falsetto burgers. In one word, a v-eery good work! I have to mark the "hard" mossiness and smoothness of the guitars and the general chocolate-candy intonation. And unlike German pastila, your ears won't become sugared. And though there isn't a trace of innovation, the compulsory program is performed great! "Beginning Of The New World" is like another stupid frame, but given by a very close friend. It's exotic!..