Sleep

Masterstroke hail from Finland and are comprised of some serious melodic metal music. They are professional in every respect offering music videos, fantastic production and most important of all, brilliant music!

Transition – An instrumental introduction prepares you for the power driven mayhem we are about to experience…


Killing Creatures – Clean, power filled, rusty vocals holler amidst tight, well structured music. This track reminds me of Australia’s very own Transcending Mortality. It’s an appealing rhythm and overall sound, and seemingly one for the avid power metal fan. But I don’t think Masterstroke really comes into the power metal category, so we’ll see.

“Empty questions, insanity, Schizophrenic humanity, This world is full of selfish societies. Twisted people everywhere, We can see the signs, but we don’t care, Oh why don’t we dare…”


Turn Away – This is a great track! It’s upbeat with a good tempo. It incorporates an excellent production along with some nice guitar work. The vocals diverge well and they create a most pleasurable metal experience. If you want to classify it, I’d chuck them in the melodic heavy metal section. It’s close to power metal but not quite there. But who cares about that, all you need to know is this band rocks! And yes, this is my favourite track off the album!

“Under all this ash and dust, We all look the same, Gazing into horizon, We see a new dawn rising, It is brighter than before, Now it’s only a matter of time, I can hear them weeping in the night…”


Under Our Command – Another motivating musical pace with aggressive drum beats, power filled vocals and entrancing guitars. I think Masterstroke have gained themselves a new fan! Check out their site (details below) for a sample and you will see what I mean by it being motivating. It has such an uplifting rhythm along with some truly memorable melodies.

“Raise your voices, Up to the crimson skies, And let the gods hear the words, We’ll take no more, Too long have we been, Pawns in your games, We will take back what’s ours, Our lives will begin…”


Another Failure – An entrancing atmosphere lingers behind this track. The music is so captivating I can listen to this album in its entirety for days on end and not get bored! The guitar work, riffs and leads, are simply magnetizing. You could possibly have these tunes stuck in your head for some time!

“A new season turns, Face another failure, Hold yourself in your arms, Don’t let it all come down, How could you leave me, When I was never yours? You smiled and seduced me, I followed but was lied to…”


The Circle – A piano based melody lures you into this track. Just when you think it may get heavy, it backs off to be rather acoustic. Then blam! We are sodden with that power infusion. Awesome drums in this one, they really stand out! Did I ever tell you how much I love Finland?! Haha.. Truly they make the best metal!

“You are feeling something strange is happening, You don’t see it, you just feel that it’s going to be, Something new that you didn’t used to know and feel, From deep in your heart, you must set your demons free!”


Being Me – Again, we are blessed by some awesome drumming, intriguing keyboards, alluring guitar work and melodic vocals with some rusted essence.

“I turn it inside outside my head, Like a festering wound, That refuses to heal, Never have I felt so sick and alone, My life as it was, Shall never be again…”


Sleep – This song has a great vocal arrangement, along with more of that groovy keyboard backing and catchy guitar work. Overall it is really well produced and thus being very effective in portraying the desired sound.

“I am without a cause, My legs stay in their course, In the distance I can see, Hope shadowed by our guilt, Your image is framed in my mind, Kneeling in the dust of past, Why should it be so hard, When turning away was so easy?”


Silent – You can only admire a track entitled ‘silent’ that starts off with a blast of guitars! All the songs are at a good length so they’re not overdone or drag on too long. It keeps them short n sweet; just enough to leave you wanting more.

"This silence, is overwhelming us, Makes us cower alone in fear, Our ancestors are gone, Something sacred is lost, Our future is bleak, Covered in mist and shadows, Reaching for answers, We wander alone in this dark road, Without guidance…”


Final Journey – The last and longest track off the album at 06:24 begins with a peaceful, melodic introduction. This is then soon transformed into a power driven opus. A little Dream Theater sounding in this one. The structure varies but remains soothing yet metal; nice combination!

“What is this? This machine is breathing for me, Am I dreaming? I can see myself! My body is resting, But my mind flies free, I’m floating over myself, And soon I’ll be gone…”


In essence, I am impressed with this album. It even includes a bonus video enhancement of ‘Making of Sleep’ The CD sleeve is informative with all the lyrics, band information, thank you’s and artwork. Thank you to Pepe from Dynamic Arts Records for the CD. You can check out the bands website below along with all the other awesome bands available through Dynamic Arts Records.