Disc number two for the supergroup side project Engine is more of the same from the debut of three years prior, in that it is a departure from the progressive metal of
Fates Warning or the old-school thrash of
Agent Steel and
Armored Saint; however,
Superholic delves more into the down-tuned riffing and menacing scowl of modern metal-alternative methods. The quality is on par with the previous effort, however, in that a few good moments -- the best of which is "Fascination Street," a moody, simmering number that has the most soul of anything present here -- intertwine with a sizable amount of filler. That said, the biggest obstacle for Engine won't be a lack of eminence, but resistance from older fans of the musicians' previous output accepting a very new sound from their heroes. ~ Brian O'Neill