I first became interested in this French power metal band two and a half years ago after hearing the album "Who Dares Wins." The distinguishing feature of this outfit has always been instantly memorable choruses and the distinctive, recognizable voice of Thierry Lebourg. Unfortunately, on this release the vocals don't come across in all their glory. In places, the singer sounds as if someone startled him; elsewhere, the vocals seem to have been tracked right after a tardy Thierry sprinted into the studio. There are still a few songs where his voice sounds good, but I'll say it again — he was never given full rein here. The press release also promises virtuosic power metal solos. Well, there is something of the sort, and it must be said, it's not bad. Thrash metal elements crop up as well, though in absolutely minimal doses. On the song "Trades" you can hear chanting from an African tribe whose name goes unmentioned. What's the point of that? Beats me. What really grates throughout the entire album is the bass drum. What does it sound like? Let me tell you — actually, you can hear it for yourself. Take a bicycle tire. Start deflating it while tapping on the valve opening where the air escapes. Yes, that's the sound. Let's sum things up. Of all the material on the album, only two songs stuck with me: the opener "United" and the ballad "These Days." Running through the reviewer's checklist, my eyes land on "the music seems fine, the lyrics seem fine, but put together it all looks like a pile of junk" — hence the corresponding score. Blame should be laid at the feet of both the band, for failing to create original material, and whoever handled the mastering. Perhaps this album turned out the way it did because contractual obligations to the label had to be fulfilled — I don't know. But for many listeners DYSLESIA is still an unopened book, and with material like this the band is simply hammering nails into its own coffin.
