Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
This distinctive style of the album is not a problem for me. I admit, after 19 years, I like most fans wanted more of the same, but surprisingly the approach and the overall mid-tempo of (the shorter!) songs are done well enough for me, the ideas. Like TCW (not to such extent ofc) and BTP, where the faster songs are not dominant. I like such emotional and moving stuff, but at the same time I really wanted a good amount of fast and pure metal songs, not gonna lie. The lack of solos (and more short melodic interludes) is what bothers me the most.too much power ballad sounding stuff.
Bruce ofc could have added fast and classic AOB/TOS-style songs to extend the album, but I guess he wanted to keep its foundational style and because as he said he wants to create emotions and not the same metal style now. But if he continues with this style for the next album, wouldn't that be more of the same?
That being said, the songs on the album that could have appeared on his previous (metal) albums are: Many Doors, Shadow, Mirror, Mistress and Wounds. Eternity too. Half of the album, so the core of the songs is not that different. Just different parts.
Speaking of the style, I noticed that the album is kind of divided into some parts:
I.first 4 songs - heavy hard rock, catchy and single-friendly songs.
II.next 3 songs - traditional metal stuff.
III.last 3 songs - the keys/ballad-y stuff.