AMPLIFIER is back! And with their new album Mystoria, also the ROCK is back, as the predecessor Echo Street was quite restrained. On Mystoria the Brits gain so much momentum that even their early albums Amplifier and Insider pale. While Tool meets Kyuss came to mind back then it is now way more difficult to classify Mystoria. AMPLIFIER’s trips into progressive and Art Rock fields definitely left its impact. The new vigor does it good. The new material sounds fresh, energetic, easygoing and thus much more positive. Pink Floyd shine through, also The Beatles as in the hymn Cat's Cradle. But there are also some crushing pieces like the opener Black Rainbow (right after the intro) and the short Bride. And more gentle and spacy songs like the closing double feature Crystal Mountain/Crystal Anthem.
It is much fun to listen to Mystoria, it makes me smile (wow, that’s me saying that?), and listening to this record in your car might increase your speed significantly. So, attention – this album is addictive! Great record, definitely worth 9.5 out of 10 points.
P.S. With all the changes within the band, AMPLIFIER still remains true to themselves.  A career I find much thrilling right from the beginning. And it’s worth to listen to the older records too.