...one of the worst things about the Internet is the fact that any idiot can post onto a message board. I don´t mind if somebody says "Ten´s new album sucks because it rips 1000s of other bands off" because that at least is a criticism made with some personal justification. What irritates me is when the "debate" that frequently ensues degenerates - fast - into a pathetic mud-slinging fest. It´s incredible in this day and age that some people really don´t understand that different people have different tastes - It doesn´t make them the antichrist! Debate can be spirited without being personally offensive too. Rarely does anyone posting onto a board with phrases like "I think you´re a &%#"" actually come across as intelligent and worthy of taking seriously.

Having said that, I agree that overgeneralised comments about the state of melodic rock suffering from overplagarism are somewhat ridiculous. To some extent I´ll admit that I like my rock/metal sounding "a certain way" - but that to me is what makes it melodic rock!!! On the other hand, I don´t get off on blatent copying and I did feel there was a bit too much of that on Ten´s Spellbound. Their first two albums in particular are inspired but IMHO Spellbound was too derivative of other bands. In that light, I read certain comments on "Babylon" with a little trepidation but nonetheless will withold opinion until I hear it for myself. If it´s half as good as In The Name Of The Rose then I´ll be a happy man.