Two years ago, we heard from Wizards' Hymn after the release of their independent demo “The Call From the Unknown.” That demo really put a damper on the future of the band, as production was simply put, pitiful. After working hard and slow to perfect the right sound, Wizards' Hymn is back with their debut release “Hymnal.” The female fronted Japanese power metal band has improved tremendously with good production this time around and with Tsutomu Aruga shredding guitar whipping some ass throughout the CD makes a great improvement in the future of the band.

Guest keyboardist Junichi Otsuka is overflowing with brilliance, as he will reap the rewards on “Hymnal.” The music on “Hymnal” is some of the best Japanese power metal I have heard but the draw back with many from the land of the rising sun is vocals. Kimiko is good but the heavy accent and the high pitched vocals make it hard to keep up with. Let’s get to some of the CD “Firestorm” is a killer tune in the vain of Judas Priest with Aruga giving a big dose of molten guitar and not forget that thumping bass riffs by Toshimasa Kato don’t hurt. Another track that is off the wall is “The Circle of Fate” it’s just memorizing music that is astounding. There is some fantastic music to be heard and could be a perfect five stars yet the vocals are holding Wizards' Hymn back from success. They need a good power metal vocalist in the vein of Lance King to reach that plateau of stardom.