The greatly anticipated solo album from Kerstin Bischof (ex-Axxis, ex-Xandria) has been a labor of love in the works since her departure from Xandria in 2010. In her 2 year absence from the music scene to concentrate on a family, she has given the time for the songs to become fertile and brilliant offerings encased in warmth and passion. Accompanied by her long time beau and now husband Guido Wehmeyer, Kerstin gives us songs from her heart and pours every ounce of it into each note. Kerstin shows us that she is a master of multiple music styles that include a bluesy, pop, rock, jazzy mixed salad topped with metal power dressing. "Project Ava" is proof that good music cannot be rushed in it's creation and with time and love, good things will come of the investment.

At the beginning of this album, we are greeted with a lovely piano solo played by Kerstin herself. A sweet lullaby called Midnight Earth #1 followed by a guitar driven tune entitled Crimson. Next is a previously released track called Frozen. Then we come to a song called Over the Stars. This track was one of my favorites because Guido shows us that he is a master drummer with his great fills and lighting strokes. We are also blessed with a nice choir in this song, which is one of my favorite song elements but some will not agree. Kerstin's sweet voice triumphs in her beautiful high range on this tune and it showcases how truly diverse she can be.

Next is a Xandria-like song entitled Wish in which Kerstin and Guido alike, show us how talented they are. Kerstin sings beautiful harmony parts with herself and Guido excels on all levels of instrumentation. Is there an instrument this man can't play well? I think not.

The jewel of the album is the first single entitled Shrink and we are offered 2 versions of the song on "Project Ava". There is the version from the video and also a long version, the latter being my personal favorite.

In Contemplation is the song that stuck with me the most. It's a slow, beautiful, laid back song filled with celestial vocals from Kerstin and jazzy, smooth guitar from Guido and this bell-like keyboard part that made me melt into a pile of relaxed man flesh. I think most will agree that this is one of the better songs on the album.

After listening to "Project Ava" my faith in Kerstin was even more cemented in her and just confirms that she has what it takes to be a successful solo artist. Great song writing and composition coupled with being an excellent piano player and let us not forget being married to one of the most instrumentally diverse men on the planet, do in fact make up the ingredients for great music. The only complaint that I personally have is that most of the songs were slow lullabies and I longed to hear more metal crunch but I can understand why Kerstin was in the head space she was in when she wrote most of these songs. One doesn't really feel metal with a new born baby around. This is an album you should not miss listening too and I proudly give it an 8.5/ 10. Bravo Kerstin.