Already the opener "Let The Play Begin" convince with it's piano arpeggio and a totally superb refrain. Hansi always seemed an outstanding guitar player and an emotional solo confirms that phrase already after 3 minutes into the album. Keyboard freaks also get a pre-taste of the quality of the album with the banks-like synth solo. With the somewhat heavy but nevertheless beautiful, melodic instrumental song "Déja Vů" even the mellotron friends are served. The opening of "A new Beginning" reminds strongly of "Now" on the Spektrum album. Here also the Gilmour-stylish singing of Hansi is noticeable to me, and of course the sensitive guitar sounds. For the first time also a saxophone solo is heard. Another highlight is the second instrumental composition "The Battle OF Thal˙ma". Synthesiser fanfares invite to the opening, before a beautiful melody on guitar and keyboard introduce the main topic of the song. Somehow the refrain melody does not get out of my head. A worthy successor of one the best songs from "Secrets" - "Awakening". It also has an amazing violin-solo and such things are always pleasing to me. After the scarcely 10 minute+ "Enter The Game", which triumphs with a Spektrum-sounding keyboard solo, we occur the short intermezzo "Fjaerilshonung" before entering the World of Epics. "Mesmerizing Enterprize" presents itself very variedly. It is rocky, pompous, atmospheric, and at the same time also somewhat catchy. The listener gets much required. Result: "Playgrounds" is probably the best work from these Swedes. Fans of the melodic British influenced Progmusic will not come around this album. If you like Grand Stand, Galleon or Spektrum, then you might also favour CROSS.
(Review by Daniel Eggenberger)
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