POWER METAL
ITALY
At the time of the release of their debut "Heir Of Power", HIGHLORD had been the epitome for the overkill of Italy's Power/Speed scene. Almost purely generic music with a singer that my ears did not like at all made for a kind of one listen, then complete loss of interest. With their second album "When The Aurora Falls…" I could detect quite some overall improvement, even though I still could not fully comprehend the fuss that people created around that particular album.
Both albums were graced by great to good covers and now their third album "Breath Of Eternity" again comes with a very interesting cover, all in blue and ochre, showing two different worlds, one of technics, one of apparently medieval times, and for the first time in the HIGHLORD history the five guys manage to back up the great cover with equally good music.
"Breath Of Eternity" also is the first one to feature new vocalist Andrea Marchisio (DESDEMONA, the Italians, not the Polish), who definitely contributes to the big improvement of this band (to my ears), for his voice has power, range and can give the songs the emotional depth that they need and also fully deserve.
The very nice and long intro "Atlantis-Part One: Beneath A Silent Sky" is followed up by "Part Two: The Dreamer And The Deep Blue Ocean", which shows us that HIGHLORD has grown into a band that really is becoming a force to reckon with in this genre, variable Power Metal with keyboards (yet compared to many comparable acts used a lot better), excellent arrangements and a damn good vocal performance by Andrea, a start in style!
Or take the furious "Dream Chaser", fast and with prominent, but very well fitting keyboards, "Back From Hell", which could come straight from the late Eighties Melodic Metal bands, the soaring "Follow Me" or the wonderful closing ballad "Moonlight Romance", complete with female vocals and a saxophone, all of them excellent songs.
Of course all ye haters of this style will still continue to do so and "Breath Of Eternity" is then yet another album to hate, but if you have any affinity towards this particular sub genre, then HIGHLORD's third is absolutely an investment you should consider! (Online April 11, 2003)
http://www.metal-observer.com
ALBUMS:
2002 - Breath Of Eternity
Tracklisting:
1.Atlantis-Part One: Beneath A Silent Sky
2.Part Two: The Dreamer And The Deep Blue Ocean
3.Stream Of Illusion
4.Dream Chaser
5.Back From Hell
6.Show Me Your Kingdom
7.Follow Me
8.Breath Of Eternity
9.Phoenix's Fire
ALBUMS:
2002 - Breath Of Eternity
1.Atlantis-Part One: Beneath A Silent Sky
2.Part Two: The Dreamer And The Deep Blue Ocean
3.Stream Of Illusion
4.Dream Chaser
5.Back From Hell
6.Show Me Your Kingdom
7.Follow Me
8.Breath Of Eternity
9.Phoenix's Fire
