Again a symphonic power metal release from Italy, there must be one on every
corner about now. Influenced by Kamelot, Rhapsody and in some more serene pieces
a bit Within Temptation, Nightwish influences as well. Epic tracks with catchy
melodies, galopping riffs, nice keyboard lines and well arranged. Guido Marcaine
is the new vocalist and instead of his genre mates he doesn't sing only in the
high regions, but has a more AOR sounding kind of voice.
The
orchestral parts in a song like "Last Poetry Line" are strong and the band also
knows how to stay heavy. Take for example the beginning of "Death Dwells in
Sight", with heavy riffs and again fine keyboard tunes and lots of variety.
Keyboarder Diego Galati has a big role on this album and you can hear that he is
a real virtuose. In the song "In Vain" the guitar and keyboard solos fight a
nice battle and both are winner. Besides the power metal influences a lot of
songs have progressive elements in them.
"The Storm" is the fastest track on the album and in the ballad "The Hills Gaze
in Silence", the new vocalist shows what he is capable of, in that song he rules.
A song with the title "Whisper" can't be heavy and indeed it isn't. The epic
track "Heirloom" is a worthy completion, in which all the strong elements of the
band pass by once again. For those who buy the actual CDs instead of purchasing
downloads, there is an extra track in the same style called "Farewell is Forever".
Whether or nor
this album tops other ones in the genre I will leave up to your own conclusion.
I personally enjoyed it and if you are a fan of Kamelot, Sonata Arctica, Whyzdom
and stuff like that, you will like this.
