Power of Metal.dk Review

 
Wind Rose
Wardens of the West Wind
Rating
 
Style: Symphonic Power Metal
Release date: 17 February, 2015
Playing time: 52:00
 


After listening to the new Whyzdom album, the other Scarlet release is on the role. Although the music is a bit different, they  fish in the same pond for a big part. Whyzdom is more theatrical and bombastic and with a female singer, but both can be put within the symphonic power metal genre. Wind Rose for example also uses orchestral parts and choir singing, but instead of using gothic influences there are parts of folky/pirate/viking metal elements in several songs.

This is the second full length by this Italian combo and sure they have been influenced by bands like Rhapsody of Fire, Blind Guardian, Derdian, Turisas and Symphony X.  Francesco Cavalieri is a good singer with a clean, but also a voice with a rougher edge. The first 3 songs are symphonic power metal attacks with orchestral parts and nice melodies. In "The Breed of the West Wind" the folk/viking style appears and parts of this track could be played by a band like Turisas or Alestrom as well. Trumpets are used in "Skull and Crossbones" (which is in my eyes the weakest track) and in a lot of songs the choir singing is a well used ingredient. In the epic battle metal song "Spartacus" some singing parts are almost a canon and the voice of Fransesco has a nice rough edge.

Like Whyzdom the band still sounds very heavy, but also very easy to listen to. After the entire spin, I don't know if this one is better than the new Whyzdom or not... What I do know is that this album can easily compete with other new albums in the genre. Blind Guardian released a fine album, but I don't think this Italian band has done a minor job. Certainly not because this is just their second one. Sure there are many comparisons with Rhapsody, Symphony X and other bands ruling the genre, but there certainly is room for one more, for Wind Rose. The year has just begun and already there have been some fine releases in the symphonic power metal genre, both the Rhapsodys are warned.


Tracklist
01. Where Dawn and Shadows Begin
02.
Age of Conquest
03.
Heavenly Minds
04.
The Breed of Durin
05.
Ode of the West Wind
06.
Skull and Crossbones
07.
The Slave and the Empire
08.
Spartacus
09.
Born in the Cradle of Storms
10.
Rebel and Free
Label: Scarlet Records
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Reviewed by: Reinier de Vries
Date: 14 February, 2015
Website: www.windroseofficial.com