Progressive metal band, Sunburst, is one of the many exceptional outfits coming out of Greece at the moment. Their debut full-length album, Fragments of Creation, consists of 10 explosive tracks decorated with crushing riffs, melodic hooks and vibrant vocals. Sunburst fits in line perfectly with progressive metal-minded bands such as Nevermore, Firewind, Dream Theater and Kamelot. Featuring guitarist Gus Drax (Biomechanical, Black Fate, Suicidal Angels) and vocalist Vasilis Georgiou (Innosense, Black Fate), Fragments of Creation shines like the sun. 

Opener “Out Of The World” immediately hooks you with its scathing, down-tuned chugging riffs, melodic leads and stimulating keyboard atmospherics. Georgiou’s vocals on this track, as well as throughout the entire album, are top-notch, reminiscent of Geoff Tate and especially Roy Kahn. Not only is Georgiou a phenomenal singer, he’s also an excellent digital artist and created the album cover art and the equally impressive CD booklet. “Dementia” is a splendid modern day prog tune that combines stabbing guitar riffs with vivacious melodies. Firewind keyboardist Bob Katsionis lends his hands on every track except two. The piéce de résistance of Fragments of Creation has to be the five-part, 12-plus minute closer, ”Remedy Of My Heart.” From the epic orchestrated intro to the climactic finale, the track is ambitiously layered, ebbing and flowing with ferocity and melodic beauty throughout its duration. Sunburst isn’t creating anything new within the genre, but when a band does it this well, it doesn’t have to.