Review by Jack on June 1, 2002.

Montany’s new album “New Born Day” is all that a power metal enthusiast needs. Strong and consistent guitar riffs, safe song compositions (barring ‘World of Dreams (The Evermore)’ which breaks the mold fortunately for Montany, otherwise I might have been a little less lenient) and pretty average power metal vocals from Patrick van Maurik. I guess if you are looking for all these good and solid features, then you needn’t look any further than Montany and “New Born Day”. This is dependable and reliable power metal. Nothing more and nothing less, absolutely flat and unexciting.

Now don’t get me wrong, Montany are decent musicians, they are all very competent on their instruments and play each part in Montany infallibly. However, this again leads to the same overhanging problem that “New Born Day” suffers from: neutrality and blandness. With only one exception, “New Born Day” offers the consumer very little to jump up and down about.

That exception, ‘World of Dreams (The Evermore)’, is where things (thankfully) start to pick up for Montany. Here you are presented with a strong and innovative song composition. Add tasteful lyrics and you have a basis for (at the very least) an interesting track. On top of these song attribute rarities, ‘World of Dreams (The Evermore)' features catchy choruses that you actually try to make the words out to, rather than normal reaction of crying every time you hear the beginning to “New Born Day”.

Bottom Line: “New Born Day” strikes me as just another sausage on the barbecue. There is nothing to prompt Montany being picked for your plate instead of the tasty German bratwurst that reads Blind Guardian. Personally I prefer the big, fat and juicy bratwurst.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 6
Atmosphere: 5
Production: 8
Originality: 4
Overall: 4

Rating: 5.4 out of 10