To start this off I'm going to talk about Arjen Lucassen and the Ayeron project but with very good reason as you shall see. Ever since the concept came to being with 1995's 'The Final Experiment' Arjen's always has had vision to push the boundaries with albums containing artists such as Fish from Marillion, Devin Townsend, James Labrie from Dream Theater amongst others and from the offshoot of that he decided to form Stream Of Passion containing unknown musicians although Marcela Bovio sang on the 2004 Ayeron album 'The Human Equation'.

Now we reach the second album by Stream of Passion titled 'The Flame Within' and despite Arjen being a founder he decided to not take part in this album and as strange as this sounds it actually benefits Stream of Passion greatly. Marcela's dual role of violin and vocals shows the symphonic passion the band brings together throughout the album.

In a surprising move Stream of Passion also decide to cover 'Street Spirit' by Radiohead and [at least to me] make a better version (a rare feat) of an already iconic song and probably the track I listened to the most on 'The Flame Within' (even with the voiceover).

'The Flame Within' is part of the continuing goth/symphonic rise of recent years and one I welcome gladly to the fold.


Tracklisting (star next to it means must listen)
1. The Art Of Loss
2. In The End*
3. Now Or Never
4. When You Hurt Me The Most*
5. Run Away
6. Games We Play
7. This Endless Night*
8 My Leader
9, Burn My Pain
10. Let Me In
11. Street Spirit*
12 A Part Of You
13. All I Know