i picked up this cd on impulse...it started out ok...with a deep growling voice....what happened next shattered my ears and hopes of this cd being anything id ever listen to again. a shrieking, whinnying elven flail bopped me on the head. that flail was the voice of the lead singer. im sorry, unless you can stand white metal 1980's shrieking throughout the ENTIRE cd...dont buy this. the guitars are decent and the drumming is skillful( thus the two stars). if i want music to read the lord of the rings to, ill pick up something easier on the ears( nocturnal rites, blind guardian).