review by: Roberto Martinelli

This may be the best power metal album I've ever heard. Where did this band come from? I don't know. It turns out that the guitarist, Wojtek Lisicki, was in that death metal band Luciferion, but who cared about that? (I realize that I may eat those words some day)

Well, I can say with full confidence that Awakening the World is a sublime album. Yes, you can tell that it's Euro power metal, but it's thankfully not in the vein of all the pathetic Helloween copycat bands. This album manages to be eminently fun and energetic without being wussy, uplifting without being sappy.

Lost Horizon does its own thing that's fresh and still instills the metal fan with that unique, inspired energy. This is probably due to the cross-cultural mix of Lisicki (who is Polish) with his Swedish bandmates.

Everything about the album is a top-notch effort: the packaging is slick, from the layout to the glossy paper of the booklet; the production is GODLY, crystal clear yet powerful and SO metal (the drums alone make this a worthy purchase); and last but not least, the musicianship is second to none. And we haven't even gotten to the actual songs. Before we do, I should also say that Lost Horizon's singer, Daniel Heiman, holds up his end of this flawless effort with excellent singing as he goes for oh-so-metal highs, but also displays excellent restraint as he shows off his mid-range capabilities.

You may have noticed the repeated comments on how metal this or that about the album is. Well, it can't be said enough. You really won't find an album that embodies what metal is really about more than Awakening the World. Lost Horizon's spirit and execution will satisfy you so thoroughly that you may not be able to listen to anything else for a while. You know that feeling you get when you hear that perfect metal album, the kind that makes you proud to love metal? This is one of those albums. Not only will you be hooked from the outset with the opening song "Heart of Storm," but you'll find that the album will grow on you progressively. I've listened to the album a good 30 times and I love it more now than I did on the 29th spin. There isn't a dud on the seven distinct songs (plus three interludes) on this album, which covers the stirring themes of being free, being proud, and being metal.

Classic riffs abound with phenomenal vocals, a flawless rhythm section, rapturous instrumental sections, and well-utilized keyboards. Oh yeah, you may also not find a band as cheesy as Lost Horizon. Not only are all the members dressed up like cosmic versions of Braveheart (take a look at the interview photos of them in this issue), but they have stage names like Preternatural Transmogrifier, give thanks to their favorite computer games alongside their favorite bands in the liner notes, and have a penchant for saying "hey!" quite often. Don't even ask me what is going on on the front and back covers of the album. But again, the cheesiness is delivered with the honesty that true metal possesses, not caring about being unhip, and thereby being eminently glorious. Let me sum it up with these lyrics taken from the album:

"And then we stood there eye to eye
The darkest grief against a pure heart
Life baptized in metal
By the secret of steel you are blessed, hail!!!
Gift of power helps you vanquish
All the mortal's plagues"

If you're going to Wacken, this band should be on the top of your priorities. If you aren't going to Wacken, you may want to reconsider. Maximum marks for this, my album of the year.