The album starts off with probably the strongest track, “Humanitix” which is basically about how we humans are nothing but leeching parasites destroying the earth. Musically, this song is fantastic. Wild solos, great backing synth that adds much depth, a catchy chorus and every vocal style is used; growls, clean and female backing. Next, the song “Rebound” offers a little slower approach but is excellent in almost every way as already mentioned. For one, guest vocalist Tina Gunnarsson is absolutely stunning and it’s a crying shame that she is not used more throughout the album. The clean male vocals are at their strongest and most impressive.

And then… poof. The album slowly degenerates into an unmemorable proggy hodge-podge of songs with weak choruses and uninspired songwriting. Sure, the showmanship is still there, but the songs are boring, leave no lasting impression and get even worse when I read the lyrics. The growled vocals become scarce, the solos and time changes become pointless, irrelevant and out of place and the album itself ends up a shell of its own potential.

Overall, “Destruction Time Again” is not a bad album, but when you show people what you’re capable of early on, I can’t help but feel disappointed with the complete effort.