Metal Underground.com

It's hard to come up with a double album — even one that's a greatest hits collection — that doesn't feel bloated or indulgent. There's no doubt that Circle II Circle's "Full Circle - The Best Of" has plenty of good-to-great songs. There's also no doubt that had the tracklist been whittled down from 32 tracks to a more manageable 16 or so, this collection would be a must-have. As it is, there is plenty of excellent playing sprinkled throughout, but also a more-than-fair amount of filler.

On the plus side, ex-Savatage singer Zak Stevens, the only constant member of the band since it formed in 2001, delivers some potent vocals on tracks like the superbly thrashy "All That Remains," which opens this collection. He's also quite excellent on "Open Season," "Soul Breaker" and the acoustic version "Into The Wind," which has a definite Queensryche feel to it (and is much better than the "normal" version on the first disc). Stevens' talent for balladry is on full display on the lush "In This Life," which transforms into something much more aggressive later on.

The guitar work is excellent throughout, with some excellent riffs on the aforementioned "All That Remains," as well as "Every Last Thing" and a few other tracks. The solos are your typical mind-blowing power metal stuff, though blistering runs on "Heal You" and the groovy "The Circle" flirt with something more soulful.

The problem is that this collection is also packed with plenty of filler. By the time "Echoes" rolls around, it's feeling a bit like one piano ballad too many — and there's still a whole 'nother disc to go. By the time the live tracks come along to add a bit of energy on disc two, even the most ardent fan's attention has likely begun to wander a little.

Also, it's worth noting that the production often feels quite a bit flat, with tracks like "Revelations" having an almost "Death Magnetic" level of compression. That has the effect of robbing the drums and bass — which are quite excellent elsewhere — of much of their power.

Sure, Circle II Circle's "Full Circle - The Best Of" could've used some editing — to the point where half of the tracks could've been dropped. Still, it's got plenty of great singing from frontman Zak Stevens, and great instrumental work (even if it's sometimes compromised by poor production choices) by some amazing sidemen.