Sparta tackle the difficult second album with more confidence than they took on the release of their debut "Wiretap Scars" with. The major difference between the two albums is that while "Wiretap Scars" hung itself on 3 or 4 outstanding tracks their follow up effort has much more depth.

We also get a lot more variation on this album than the first. The album opens with a familiar burst of adrenaline before moving on to the more contemplative While Oceana Sleeps. Lines In The Sand is the first time we hear Sparta show a willingness to really slow it down, and it works pretty well. Synscope and P.O.M.E are nice little instrumental editions that maybe could have benefitted by being further apart from each other. Tensioning has a "Kid A" style introduction before exploding into the album's centre piece epic done in a style familiar to Cataract on the first album. From Now To Never is Sparta's first attempt at an 8 minute track, and while the piano based ending to the song is one of the highlights of the album, the join to the previous 4 minutes is far too visible.

Aside from these departures the rest of the album is saved from repetition or any feeling of filler, mainly by Jim Ward's use of much poppier melody than he has used before, but still delivered with no less passion and edge than we are used to hearing from him.

The album could well propel Sparta closer to the mainstream than they are now. The anthemic La Cerca and Travel By Bloodline could easily sit comfortably on the edge of mainstream rock radio. With the right promotion there in no reason why the record couldn't be something of a sleeper hit.

All in all, if you like Sparta already then you will like this album. If you dislike them it's unlikely to be enough to sway you. If you haven't heard them then "Porcelain" is probably the best place start as of now. Sparta don't yet appear ready to take on the world but they are marching in the right direction. Enjoy this one but expect bigger and better things come album number three.