Through all the line-up changes since (including an unofficial breakup) they've managed to keep these influences to the point where it's impossible to find a review of their EP Aurora Twilight that doesn't mention at least one of these bands. Indeed, the first four words to enter my brain upon listening to the album, without having seen a single review of it beforehand, were "Iron Maiden, Judas Priest".

But while these influences are definitely obvious when listening to Auroro Twilight, it thankfully doesn't get to the point where the music could be considered completely derivative, and there is enough variation of styles through the album for it to be considered somewhat original. "Order of the Dragon" has a distinct speed/power metal edge to it and other influences can be found throughout, which serves well to break up the album and ensures you can't wonder why they recorded the same song six times, which happens all too often with heavy metal bands.

The EP opens with "Absolute Zero", a heavily Maiden and Priest influenced track which offers the first glimpse of Quiintus' unique voice, which is quite hard to describe. I would draw a comparison between him and Bruce Dickinson or Rob Halford (or even Ronnie James Dio) but his vocal tone is quite unique and very interesting compared to Bruce, Rob and most other well-known heavy metal singers. Since the music isn't as unique and original as it possibly could be, Quiintus' unusual voice is a very welcome point of difference.

From the opening track we move to "A War in Heaven"; a driving, crunchy number with a distinct 80s metal feel, and "Mirror of Ghosts", my favourite track on the album. Interesting vocal melodies and great (if cliched-sounding) guitar solos are the order of the day through the middle section of the EP, with a very conservative sprinkling of atmospheric keyboards for good measure, until we reach the epic chorus of "Where Demons Fear to Tread".

From there the album slips a little, with "Midnight Beyond" (which would, admittedly, make a pretty good driving song) not nearly the right note on which to end the EP. The main guitar riff and solo sound so much like early Metallica that it's actually quite jarring, and the song fades out instead of ending with a bang, but this one negative point is not enough to completely ruin my opinion of the rest of the album, which I quite enjoyed.

Since Aurora Twilight was released, Chaos Theory have already written and recorded its follow-up: a 12-track LP called Whispers of Doom, complete with the addition of a full-time keyboardist (which is sure to add a lot of depth to their music). Their debut EP has convinced me that I should pick up their album whenever it is released, if only to find out what they sound like with keyboards, and I suggest you do the same. Aurora Twilight, however, doesn't quite reach the heights it seems so capable of reaching.