What a nice and listenable album this is for Ten fans. Warm production, flowing songs and Gary's warm voice and lyrical imagery. The album peters off a bit towards the end I would say but has good variety and caters for all the things that fans of the band love.

I would've preferred a rollicking yarn to end with though. But we get a so so epic ballad instead. The two opening tracks are a real fantastic way to start I must say. Be As Your Are Forever and Shield Wall in particular are just great epic rock tunes. Love the chants in Shield Wall. The Esoteric Ocean follows and slows the pace down into a more grand direction. A really great track actually. The middle of the album is a touch hit and miss. Rosetta Stone is an epic ballad. It's nice but not really my thing. The title track however probably has one of the thrashiest, heaviest riffs ever seen on a Ten album and is a classic.

Mephistopheles is another rapid fire tune that gets you tapping your toes. Exile is an ok tune but not amazing but might grow on me. Of Battles Won and Lost closes out the album with an epic ballad. I mean it oozes class but it's not really fully my thing.

Overall I would say if you love Ten, you'll be pretty happy and if you don't well move along nothing to see here..