Or is it? Power metal is the name of the game, but the surprise is the music is less speed oriented and more synth-heavy than you might expect. In fact Ride The Sky's music has more progressive elements than anything Helloween ever conjured up. New Protection does benefit from a crisp production and with a group of experienced musicians on board, the playing is tight and contains a certain maturity level you would come to expect from such professionals. However, good musicianship does not always automatically imply a good listen, and the problem with New Protection is that it comes across as pretty bland. Maybe like a taste that you've had in your mouth one too many times. The songwriting also seems to lack the memorable traits at which bands like Helloween & Masterplan are indeed “masters." While the prog elements are indeed prevalent, there is also somewhat of a “pop” music feel to some of this record putting it on the more accessible side of metal. Songs like “The Prince Of Darkness,” while elaborate in nature tend to sound just too familiar. Oh, there are definitely some quality moments here and there and it is not a complete snooze fest, but let's face the facts that this genre has been over saturated for a while and unless you put out a truly special product, there is just nothing to get excited about.

As it came to be, the band formerly known as Ride The Sky ended up calling it a day in early 2008. Apparently the band was not happy with the label support nor the product. New Protection will probably just end up being a footnote in these band members' careers, and while ultimately this project cannot be looked at as a complete failure, it is now on to bigger and better things for those involved

written by Joe Grammatico

Playing time: 50:06