A second-division supergroup of sorts, Mystic Prophecy unites members of various bands (Valley's Eve, Dream Evil, Raise Hell) under the glorious (a-hem) banner of dramatic Euro-power metal. Powered by operatically inclined Greek vocalist R.D. Liapakis, their first album, Vengeance, spews typically pretentious fantasy lyrical themes backed by grandiose arrangements and guitarist Gus G.'s thrashy riffing. These are particularly evident in such synthesizer-enhanced epics (the band's forte) as "Sky's Burning," "In the Mirror," and "Fallen Angel"; yet much of the remaining material is solid, but far from awe-inspiring. Based on their musicians' sheer technical proficiency, however, Mystic Prophecy is sure to please serious power metal enthusiasts. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia