Ancient Bards - The Alliance of the Kings

TRACK LISTING

1.  Prelude
2.  The Birth of Evil
3.  Four Magic Elements
4.  Only the Brave
5.  Frozen Mind
6.  Nightfall in Icy Forest
7.  Lode al Padre
8.  Daltor the Dragonhunter
9.  Farewell My Hero
10.  Faithful to Destiny

Total playing time:  58:05

July 1, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

All I can say about this to begin with is that symphonic power metal has entered my life, Mother Nature help us all!

Hands down, and this takes a lot for me to say on any level for any genre, this is one of the better symphonic power metal albums these ears have ever heard. Despite my well-documented disdain for power metal in the Hammerfall/current Blind Guardian vein I do know the genre well and have a wide understanding and exposure to its stable of bands. I do not attempt to make uninformed reviews or assumptions without benefit of either researching the band in question or investigating the sub-genre a little more thoroughly. In essence, I wish to know my hens before the lay their eggs. I might add that Italy’s Ancient Bards is about as amazing as it gets.

There is a lot going on in this album. I mean a lot! I’m still fascinated by its chaotic perfection, reminding me more than occasionally of Stratovarius’ Visions album with the quick keyboard pace, but the seemingly flawless guitar work here is astounding. What truly captures me is vocalist Sara Squadrani, whose powerful, yet beautiful voice is just one of the highlights of this tremendously talented band. For this symphonic power metal medium that has made its rise in recent years, I’ve not really found a band that struck an almost instantaneous chord like The Alliance of the Kings has. The bombastic nature of most of this medium is usually so overpowering and obstreperous that I am more turned off than on by the insanity of it, but this album is exactly how it should be crafted.

A classical element is ever present throughout the album, providing a special feeling of a period piece of music; that is, the precise mood and era seem to be captured so magically that it’s nearly impossible not to like this album on any level you choose. For musicians this is utter brilliance in its complexity and arrangement, especially prevalent in “Lode al Padre,” which has that slight 3^rd and the Mortal aura surrounding it, but with far more sustaining quality. While Kari Rueslatten had a gorgeous voice capable of giving life to the gothic/folk flavor of Tears Laid in Earth there is just something so severely special about Sara Squadrani; she was the perfect find for an unblemished band. The lushness of this album fills the entire room with such a large, wondrous feel that you can immediately be pulled into the music without effort or resistance.

What makes me even more excited about this album is, as I said, its overall flawlessness. Have these sounds been heard before? Of course they have; there’s little room for total originality anymore, we all know that. However, a band can set itself apart with a dynamic so incredibly engaging and strong that you just find yourself in love with them with the first chords. Such is the case with Ancient Bards. The absolute musicianship and combustible essence cannot be missed by anyone if you’re a fan of metal.

There are no single standouts here; the entire album is a valuable, unrelenting majesty that I can honestly say might be my number one album of the year so far, and unless something truly epic comes along and dethrones it this is “it” for me. I’m getting fat from all of these words I’m forced to eat of late, but I am gluttonous with a smile, that’s for sure.

So far this is Album of Year for me, and I hope you’ll seek it out and enjoy it as much as I do. Utterly flawless in my humble opinion; you cannot find a better hour spent on music of this genre if you tried.          

Release Date: February 26th, 2010
Label: Limb Music Products

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