A first look at the grisly cover artwork and the tongue in cheek title of this extended play seem to indicate that this Mexican trio could be a grindcore band. However, the band name being a reference to Helloween is actually more accurate since Victim of Fate play speed metal inspired by German genre pioneers such as Running Wild and Blind Guardian. 

This approach works remarkably well in the opener ''Fantasy Is Gone''. The track convinces with steady rhythm section, energetic riffs and fierce vocals that transport a youthful and nostalgic spirit. This kind of song could have been released thirty-five years ago and wouldn't have sounded out of place on the first releases of the aforementioned genre forefathers.

The Mexican trio however offers more than speed metal worship. ''Open Veins'' transitions from steady speed metal towards a mixture between heavy and doom metal to conclude the song. The track grows with every spin and shows the potential Victim of Fate has to develop its own distinctive style.

''Sunday Walk in Huinala'' is a completely different beast however. It's an acoustic instrumental song reminding me of a combination of samba, jazz and bossa nova. I'm no expert of this type of music but the guitar play is impressive without a doubt. However, the song doesn't blend in at all with the other songs at all. It's a complete mismatch.

In the end, Victim of Fate offers three very good speed metal songs as well as one experimental track with heavy and doom metal vibes and a weird acoustic interlude on Rot 'Em Roll!. Genre fans can pick this release up without a doubt. It remains interesting to see where the Mexican trio will go from here.

Final rating: 65%

Chaos over Cosmos is a Polish-Australian progressive power metal duo that takes its inspirations from video games, novels and nature and opens the record with a quote by philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. This eclectic mixture sounds difficult to digest on paper but the most remarkable thing about the duo's debut record is that if flows very smoothly. It also has a constant otherworldly atmosphere that invites to dream, relax and think.

Obviously, the opening ''Armour of the Stars'' might overstay its welcome with a running time of seventeen and a half minutes and the drum machine used here certainly sounds quite artificial. Trimming this song to about ten minutes and hiring a session musician on drums would have made a masterpiece out of a very good song. Everything else works tremendously here. The melodic guitar riffs and epic solos create an otherworldly atmosphere. The decent use of atmospheric keyboard layers only underlines this cinematic approach. The harmonious vocals work perfectly because even though they aren't technically stunning they precisely transport the feeling this band was aiming for. Imagine a traditional heavy metal song boosted with progressive soundscapes and you might grasp what this short space opera is all about.

The duo doesn't hesitate to stray away from its progressive power metal basics from time to time. ''Neon Nights'' flirts with synth pop and new wave soundscapes of the eighties with airy vocals and prominent electronic soundscapes reminding of Giorgio Moroder and the likes. This seemingly unusual approach blends in harmoniously with the otherworldly atmosphere present throughout the entire record. Progressive power metal purists might find the song too fluffy but more adventurous listeners will discover a unique song that walks off the beaten path.

The record ends with the instrumental ''Sky' which takes its influences as much from progressive metal bands like Fates Warning regarding pace and melody but also more experimental progressive ambient bands such as Tangerine Dream regarding atmosphere and structure. This track would find its righteous place on any soundtrack for a science-fiction movie, series or video game.

In the end, Chaos over Cosmos is a fresh addition to the progressive power metal genre because the band includes ambient, new wave and synth pop influences in its sound to amplify the otherworldly vibes of its compositions. If you value intellectualism over structure, creativity over coherence and atmosphere over accessibility, you should try this album out, listen to it on numerous occasions and let it grow on you. The Unknown Voyage isn't easy to grasp at first contact but its ethereal layers will unfold perpetually. Patient listeners will be rewarded.

Final rating: 80%

First leg of the Canadian Premier League finals

Second leg of the Canadian Premier League finals

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