Before I received the promo for “Welcome to the Theater” I was aware of ReinXeed but had never heard an entire album. For those of you that are equally unfamiliar with the music of ReinXeed, According to their band biography, the story of ReinXeed takes place in a town called Vindeln in the north of Sweden. ReinXeed is Tommy ReinXeed’s musical creation and band vision.
The band was formed in 2002 and worked very hard since then to develop their own style of melodic power metal and image to create what ReinXeed call adventurous power metal. Apparently, the new album is inspired by different movies. The musical inspiration for ReinXeed comes from Gary Moore, Angra, Stratovarius, Robby Valentine, Symphony X and Helloween, & Keeper Of The Seven Keys 1 & 2 era. I also hear a Kamelot influence in the music.

The first “song” “Welcome (Intro)” is just that, most likely to be used as the band is heading to the stage before a concert. Skip it; you’re not missing anything important. “Life Will Find A Way” is a majestic metal anthem featuring some impressive vocals from Tommy. The next song “Follow Me” is a bombastic symphonic rocker, reminiscent of “Serpents in Paradise” from Avantasia’s Metal Opera. “Save Us” is another song that brings Avantasia or perhaps Kiske-era Helloween.  Since “Welcome to the Theater” is inspired by movies, I would imagine that “Stranger Tides’ is based on Pirates of the Caribbean. Musically it does have an epic feel to it. The rapid fire drumming of Alfred Fridhagen is particularly impressive on the rocking tracks “Somewhere in Time” and “Freedom”. The band slows down on the mid-tempo headbanger “No Fate”. The band ventures into Luca Turilli (Rhapsody) silliness on the Indiana Jones inspired “Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls” The chorus is catchy yet eye-roll inducing at the same time. The final song “Welcome to the Theater” has a “Ghost Opera” type vibe to the lyrics, the music returns to mid-tempo vintage Helloween territory. In conclusion, “Welcome to the Theater’ is much better than average power metal album, yet not quite reaching the bar set by others in the genre such as Kamelot, Avantasia, or Helloween, but a fun listen if you’re in the mood for European power metal with soaring lead vocals, impressive lead guitar solos, and symphonic song arrangements than you won’t be disappointed by ReinXeed!

Rating: 7.0