| The
Review |
In the past several years, the whole "Music for Hobbits"
orchestral metal has been played out and played out, over
and over again. Bands like Rhapsody/Turilli, Erik Norlander,
and Mattsson have done well with their arrangements and elaborate
concepts, and Fairyland is no exception. But in these days
it does take a lot to prove yourself as a band in this now
saturated subgenera of the progressive rock genre, and this
band gets there.
Melding these orchestral passages (done on a keyboard)
with Gamma Ray/early Stratovarius style power metal complete
with the consistent double bass and quick tempo riffs, but
yet it is highly indented with choirs and such, sounding like
it could have easily provided the score for Lord of the Rings,
if you know what I mean. Certainly with tracks such as "Ride
with the Sun," "Fight For Your King," and "A Dark Omen" does
this band produce an ensemble of energetic symphonies; but
yet the ballad such as "Rebirth" and the minstrel tune of
"The Storyteller" offer contrasting musical overtones to this
otherwise densely produced record.
Yes it is dense in the fact that these is a lot going
on, layer upon layer of arrangements, all of which are fast
paced, but yet it all is mixed down into a more clear sound,
providing a clear conscious within the melodies instead of
muddied mush. SO for those of you who love your symphonic/operatic
metal, you should dare not pass this one up, because it is
one of those full-blown orchestral records.
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