Primed and ready for battle, the title track introduces us and immediately paints a deeply immersive picture of a Tolkien-inspired world in which we are being led on the road to an almighty battle. Foretelling of a hero who will bring light to a land long shrouded in darkness. Arriving at the ablaze gates of track two Whispers of Doom finds us on the cusp of battle with powerful magic at play.
Fueled by some of the greatest power metal instrumentals I’ve ever heard open up a song, The Bloody Pariah keeps this epic narrative going strong with a mother whose two sons have taken two different paths. One light, the other dark. And the resulting conflict it has created within her.
Playing out like a necromantic fantasy all its own, 16-minute epic Vanquished by Shadows takes a deep plunge into the very darkness that seeks to corrupt the land laid out in this album. And continues to address the conflict between the two brothers who appear to be the main conceptual focus. Toning down for a grittier, doomier sound halfway through, it definitely set the perfect feel for the scenes of despair taking place.
Kreel’s Magic Staff circles back to the protagonist continuing his quest for victory by acquiring said relic, with an almost Celtic undertone and amazing guitarwork from lead axe-man Luca Turilli.
Diamond Claws speaks of the flight Terial the Holy sentry as he ventures into the unknown battle that awaits him and he who rides with him.
Centring in on the brother who chose the path of darkness is Black Wizard, seemingly poisoning his sibling while slowly descending into this new and wicked persona.
Taking a final rest before the grand battle that this has all been building up to. The anticipation of what is to come in A Brave New Hope is executed perfectly with a lethal drum and bass combination.
Detailing each and every detail of the grand battle with perfect execution was Holy Downfall. Highlighting the final conflict between two brothers turned Wizards on opposing sides with the victor begging for holy redemption all playing against an amazing backdrop of synthesizer and guitar working together perfectly hand-in-hand.
To conclude, we are left with Mastered by the Dark, offering a unique two-sided perspective of the aftermath of a war that stemmed from a sibling rivalry between these two brothers who it seems were always destined to go into battle against one another.
Power Metal is probably one of the hardest genres to write, produce and conceptualize successfully. But in this instance, it is safe to say that it was all done flawlessly.
9.5/10
