Jon Schaeffer is nothing if not ambitious. Some ten years after the original Something Wicked trilogy appeared on the album Something Wicked This Way Comes, Schaeffer has re-visited the story for Framing Armageddon, the first CD in a two part epic of a concept album. A heavy metal sci-fi concept, almost Cecil B DeMille like in its construction and execution, this is an album that has everything but the kitchen sink, and even that may be in there somewhere no doubt...

As with anything Schaeffer writes he has the knack of coming up with strong hooks, melodies and glorious guitar lines. Who cares that the lyrics, telling the story that the earth is not as it seems, may only be decipherable in Schaeffer's mind -when they are wrapped in in music this good it just doesn't matter. Each song proper is near enough proceeded by a mini guitar introduction, they are simply the appetizer to get the juices flowing. Listen to the chorus on Something Wicked and tell me it doesn't stick in the mind.

OK so the ideas, the songs are Schaeffer's, but without the performance of Tim Owens the album would be nothing like as good. This is the record where the former Judas Priest frontman finally comes of age. His vocals are nothing short of outstanding. Yes there are plenty of harmonies and orchestrated choir vocals on display but Owens own the songs from start to finish. Listen to the scream that kicks off Ten Thousand Strong and you'll be amazed, or the more sympathetic, melodious delivery on the calming The Clouding - and then there's When Stars Collide. Massed vocals, rhythmic guitars and another chorus to die for.

Framing Armageddon is nowhere near as immediate an album as it's predecessor The Glorious Burden, but it was never meant to be, nor is it as easy a listen by any means, This is a record that forces you to take time out, sit back and listen carefully to take in all of the soundscapes that Schaeffer has created. If you make that investment then you will be rewarded. Framing Armageddon, to some, will likely be called a work of overblown pretentiousness, to others it will be a work of near genius - me I'm opting for the later. Lets hope Part 2 when it arrives is equally as good.

Oh and go and look up what a Setian, a word that appears numerous times in the lyrics, is - I had to