Starting this review in a very unorthodox way, I really don't know who I should thank first for this magnificent progressive rock, concept album and one of the best albums I've heard so far in 2007. Should it be Shawn Gordon and the exceptional work he's doing with ProgRock records, grimly refusing to give up the fight he's started for progressive music's universal establishment by constantly digging up talented bands out of the blue? Or should it be John W. Crawford, for setting the lyrical basis, since "Voices in the Light" is based on a novel by him, talking about a man's life and his near death experience that changed his life and way of dealing with things? Far more, John worked as a lyricist and executive producer and he's done a great job, without doubt.

Well, above all, I'm to thank this incomparable quartet consisted of Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery), DC Cooper (ex- Royal Hunt, Silent Force), Kurt Barabas (Under The Sun) and Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard), who came together with a terrifyingly great recording that definitely lives up to all the hype surrounding it, and how could it be otherwise with a line-up like this? The guitar and keyboard delivery of Wehrkamp is quite melodic and expressive, following the spirit of the storyline, without ruling out some more heavy-oriented moments like "Viper". Wehrkamp alongside Cooper are mostly responsible for the compositions and the vocal lines and that by itself reveals much. No wonder why the keyboard tunes resemble so much to Shadow Gallery. But there's more to it than this, and just to give you a hint, imagine the perfect blend between Shadow Gallery, Marillion and Dream Theater. Barabas and D'Virgilio form a solid and powerful rhythm section giving the right, strong pulse to the project, while DC Cooper once again is astonishing. Excellent, emotionally driven interpretation and that really shows off on songs like "I Promise You" (duet with female singer Trishia O'Keefe) , "Coming of Age", "Betrayed by Love" and "Turning Point". A bravura performance by a guy that took Royal Hunt by the hand after his coming in the band, boosting their popularity at the same time (and don't tell me that Mr. West was as good, because I see where Royal Hunt stand now, going downhill all the way!). Wehrkamp did a very good job in creating a breathtaking production as well, with this being his final touch on this awesome work of -progressive rock- art.

Unquestionably among my top choices for 2007 and one of the best progressive rock albums I've heard so far. You can't miss that one.