Review on Persona Non Grata - Shade In The Light (2009)

The name Persona Non Grata may not be much familiar at the moment,it won't take long though for the world to get to know them.How many rather when we fall onto Vasillis Axiotis for once again...Apparently this guy cannot stand inactive.Taking part in bands which have left their mark in the greek metal scene,such as Phantom Lord,Nigel Foxxe's Inc.,Overlord's Perpetual,Nostalgia For A Belief (much more recent),and correct me if i'm wrong,he had a few participations with the band RoT.We also have Akis Gavalas,a session drummer of Agnosia,and full time drummer of Sound Of Silence.Do not forget and the machinery,as a matter of personal opinion,of this band,John Ioannidis.All the above,accompanied by Chris Gatsos and Chris Vogiatzis,and under the name of Persona Non Grata,they manage to release "Shade In The Light" through Sensory records. Just by taking a good look on the bands mentioned before,it will not take long for somenone to figure out,that we have to do with a group standing in the progressive metal area,(though i have an objection about the "metal" part...it's not a strong objection though ;)...),with also some hard rock references. We now are talking about the well known sound of progressive metal..the one that was given to us 10-15 years ago by Dream Theater..and you can easily check on the influences by Dream Theater,Shadow Gallery,Deep Purple,Rush...in few cases it also reminded me 2 bands that possibly a lot of you will disagree with. but who cares...the one is Talisman and the other one is a greek band..Breaking Silence.Don't ask me why,these were my first thoughts,thats why i'm writing them down.Pretty good and relaxing melodies,and inspiration,are the ones that mark off,while the keyboards get a ruling position.In association with the voice of Axiotis and the tremendous production,we are beind led to a very good release,with bonded and complete songs.. Personal favourite songs are :"Collision Course","Shade In The Light" and "Before The Reason" (take also a very good listen on the "Empty Shadows" solo starting at 04:15),in a 10 song total.Hardly enough you will find out a weak moment in this album,because of a very taken care of,job.And that's of course one of the reasons why this band got a contract with Sensory,a label with a lot of names in her catalogue,most of which in the same "area".Bands like Zero Hour,Gordian Knot,Avalon,Mind's Eye...and let's not forget the last album from "our" guys,Wastefall,a disk with which they ended their route,"Self Exile". A great opportunity then for another greek group to prove its power to the exterior..