“Cross the Divide” opens with an excellent guitar strum before exploding with a triumphant drum beat and synth backing. It only improves from there. Singer Simone Simons’ soprano vocals are intense, as always, and her work on the chorus here is exceptional. There’s always been a great variety in her voice. Nowhere is that better shown than the breathy, floating notes of the main stanzas compared against intense staccato bursts of the chorus. “Cross the Divide,” indeed! The instrumentals, however, are easily an equal highlight. They are an excellent complement to the lofty operatic lyrics. Fast-paced without being overwhelming and beautifully ornamented, the guitars are outstanding. Guitarists Mark Jansen and Isaac Delahaye masterfully blend djent and electronica influences, perfectly enhan...