VANILLA REX is a band that exists since the end of the 80s and which plays kind of progressive metal which is roughly comparable to Symphony X. Parallel Worlds is of course not their first release, but probably the first one which has been produced with a professional attitude. In fact, it could help the band to gain a certain underground reputation. The production is a little hollow and maybe there is a little bit too much reverb on the instruments, but besides that the quality is quite okay. A lot more interesting is the band’s songwriting talent: The opener Awaken The Sphinx is already quite catchy and gets stuck in your head very fast. The bands instrumental performance is also quite okay, so one might ask oneself why the band did not already sign a serious contract. Well, maybe it is the high-pitched voice of vocalist Andi Wagener which scares some listeners at first. Anyway, VANILLA REX shows how well hard work in die rehearsal room an pay off. I hope that this band will achieve the popularity they deserve with this release! Thumbs up!