A band that have had a lot of success despite their somewhat jerky career, Brazil's Shaman are back with their third album (fourth in all, when 2005's Reason is considered - this was released under the name Shaaman), and a good album it is; a worthy successor to 2007's immense comeback Immortal. Formed by ex-Angra members Andre Matos and Richard Confessori back in 2000, the band have since shed most of their members, with only stickman Confessori remaining. Collaborating with vocalist Thiago Bianchi for the aforesaid Immortal was a shrewd move, as he is an overlooked frontman who takes on most of what Matos did with Angra, whilst bringing his own clean and sweet features along with it. While their last album was a flawless representation of modern Power Metal, Origins is a little more adventurous, with heavier and faster sections cropping up with their trademark use of world music, challenging melodies, and very catchy (and happy) choruses. Shaman will always sound like early Angra, and they do here. The album as a whole doesn't have the same kind of flow as its predecessor, though it does have songs that are as strong, such as powerful opener "Lethal Awakening", "Rising Up To Life", and the angry, spiteful "Inferno Veil". In "Finally Home", Shaman break out their AOR influences for a splendid sing-along, and in "Ego Pt.2", they manage to combine all the elements of their sound, with a shower of double kicks, soaring melodies, and some dazzling guitar work.