This is Narnia's most unique album, moving away for a bit from the amazingly positive arena choruses into some power metal with a brooding and oppressive atmosphere from start to finish, with a concept relating to conflict in the Middle East. It really showcases a different side of the band. It's a resounding success, and one of their best albums (can't choose between this and Enter The Gate). There's great musicianship across the band, with guitarist CJ Grimmark standing out as, frankly, a genius. Technically impeccable, tasteful and creative solos and amazing compositions come together to make him the linchpin of the band. Each song is very unique in style here, and most seem to take their time building ideas, with most tracks clocking over 5 minutes: after the intro, The Countdown Has Begun works as an excellent fast paced opener, Back From Hell a heavier track with lots of dynamics. No Time To Lose brings the album a feeling of a ponderous, slow paced march through the desert, followed by the highly textured Innocent Blood, a very interesting a progressive piece with cool instrumentation and vocals. Ground Zero continues the slower paced vibe of the album and is a very unique bass-centric instrumental, leading into the fastest song on the album, Judgement Day, a song that blends speed and a somber atmosphere courtesy of the contained vocals and dreamy keyboards. Desert Land works as a short acoustic intro (you won't want to skip) to the album's epic title track, 14+ minute long mammoth The Great Fall, a great, very theatrical and moody song that finishes so abruptly it leaves you stunned. What an amazing work of art.
