PATHFINDER - Beyond The Space, Beyond The Time

“Beyond The Space, Beyond The Time” is the debut album of the Polish act Pathfinder that are on the scene since 2006. For first release I would state that “Beyond The Space, Beyond The Time” is quite a complicated symphonic power metal album, which is odd when it comes to power metal with all its clichés. Pathfinder have done a magnificent job in composing epic songs following the lead of Rhapsody (mostly), Labyrinth and in some parts Blind Guardian.
\r\n“Beyond The Space..” is a concept album that unfolds tales of might and magic with breathtaking melodies and frantic riffs overflowing. The prevailing element on the whole album is the symphonic parts that manage to stun the listener and create this farytail-ish atmosphere that is essential for the album while Beethoven seems to be a great influence for the band something very obvious in songs like “Pathway To The Moon”! Simon Kostro’s vocals sound melodic and powerful at the same time as he avoids the “high pitched shrieks” which, most of the times are a trademark for power metal. Accompanied by a soprano voice in most of the tracks he sings of the hero’s epic quest in an almost theatrical way (listen to “Sons Of Immortal Fire” and “Undiscovered Dreams” and you’ll see). I am sure the band put a great effort in arranging and composing the songs but the results are great and so is the band’s performing abilities.
\r\nExcellent work has been done on the production and on the cover artwork something that shows the band’s professionalism in all parts of this release! Trust me , it is no exaggeration to state that if it wasn’t for Rhapsody, Pathfinder could have easily been the leading act of the genre, but this doesn’t affect the value of this release in any case.
\r\nConcluding I’d like to add that Pathfinder might not be a ground breaking act but they manage to release a very decent debut that the fans of the genre will surely love.
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\r\nDimitris Karantounias\r\n