Star Queen's a new acquaintance to me. I was eager to hear what it will sound like. My first impression was 'what an odd style, weird metal', but soon I got the hang of it. So don't be put off by what you first hear. You might end up liking this kind of music, if you just give it some time.

Stella Tormanoff's voice is reminiscent of Xandria's Lisa... Her singing style is kind of 'freakish' but that's actually a good thing. At least she differs from mass, and her singing style also adds personality to their music. Nonetheless, she also has some 'normal' vocals (whatever that means) on this album. She seems to have taken influences from opera and from Nightwish's singer Tarja Turunen.

By the look of guitar solos, you'll easily notice that Yngwie J. Malmsteen has been quite a big influence on Thorbjörn Englund's lead work. Songs are pretty average, nothing groundbreaking. This is quite solid album, the quality of songs doesn't vary much. So there aren't any highlights, but on the other hand there aren't any failures either.

Production on this album is ok, except the occasional background noise in guitar solos... which may be the result of using single coil pick-ups (like Yngwie Malmsteen) or mastering too loud (distortion). Star Queen's music is that kind of music in which you have to become absorbed in. If you don't give it time, you probably won't get it. I recommend this album to all 'open-minded' listeners.
- MAGE (07.07.2004)

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LINE-UP:
Tormanoff, Stella: Vocals Englund, Thorbjörn: Guitars Uvén, Peter: Bass Holma, Mats: Drums
Producer:	Thorbjörn Englund Music Production
Mixing by:	Englund, Thorbjörn
Mastering by:	Englund, Thorbjörn

	TRACKLIST:
	01. Exile 02. Your True Self 03. Rainbow 04. Existence 05. Virginia and the Wizard 06. Crystal Heart 07. Draft 08. Revelation of Our Malice 09. Merciless Faith 10. Cryptic Epistle 11. Labyrinth of Spleen