Band:	Leverage
Album:	Circus Colossus
Style:	Progressive heavy metal, Symphonic power metal
Release date:	November 2009

01. Rise
02. Wolf And The Moon
03. Movie Gods
04. Worldbeater
05. Rider Of Storm
06. Legions Of Invisible
07. Revelation
08. Don't Keep Me Waiting
09. Prisoners
10. Broken Wings
11. Mean And Evil [Japanese bonus]
12. Walk On Home [Japanese bonus]

The idea behind Circus Colossus was sounding big and serious. Not that the band wasn't serious before, but there was always that "underground, little band"-charm to them that they're very eager to get rid of. They want to get into the big game with the top dogs, but not by becoming radio friendly, and they're pretty much playing their cards right at this point.

There are several changes to the band's sound. The production is a lot better (not that it was shaggy before though) and it amplifies the arena quality that some of their tracks have. There are symphonic elements added with great taste, and instead of a fast rocker we've got an instrumental intro to open the album. The quantity and content of the ballads, one of their trademarks, has changed. There's the short "Don't Keep Me Waiting" stripped down to piano and voice (it's written by their drummer, who also does their album covers), and as a bonus song, one of the best power ballads ever written, "Walk On Home" (how many power ballads with deep, storytelling lyrics can you name anyway?). Also, the band takes a break from grim overtones and hard-hitting harmonies by adding two very light and upbeat songs, "Rider Of Storm" and "Revelation."

Though the changes may be numerous, the essential Leverage elements remain - heavy riffs (as demonstrated on "Worldbeater"), songs that ooze with catchy elements and yet don't lack quality ("Wolf And The Moon"), great guitar work courtesy of gentlemen Heikkinen and Spoof, fast tracks that hit you right in the heart ("Prisoners", "Broken Wings"), and wonderful vocals by Pekka Heino. They continue on the path of playing good quality, melody and harmony-based music heavy rock stripped of cheese. And they're doing pretty great.