Review Summary: The journey that never ends.
It was on the eve of a certain day when my ears beheld a gleaming treasure. ‘twas a day of chaos and bore, yet Twilight Force entered the room as if to say there was such light still left in the world. I clutched the pearl they gave me with a full heart, and entered a wayward fantasy lost through the ages. On that eventful moment I discovered Twilight Force’s symphonic power metal to be superior - above most. Journeying on a cinematic musical adventure similar to watching certain Disney movies, I found myself hopelessly captured. It was their album Heroes of Mighty Magic that stole me away, and I knew I would never desire to leave. However, Dawn of the Dragonstar came. Indeed, the next album in the band’s beautifully crafted agenda introduced new elements, and left. I would surely have to wait forever and a day for a new album.
What if I told you that day has come?
Behold, Twilight Force’s new album, the epic continuation of their seismically powerful soundscape realized. It is everything you want and more, but perhaps just maybe… too much of it? No matter, once again the intensely cathartic soundtrack fulfillment paints an enriching picture. It is a band that lives and breathes in the story they sing, with the lead man singing higher than the highest mountains while the double bass is absolutely mashed. Everything is exactly as it was before, down to the most minute detail possible.
At the Heart of Wintervale is as epic as an album from the band can be. Chimes, choirs, it’s all here, and it is quite magical. And so it goes, where I wonder how far their style can reach. Currently the symphonic side is sitting at 60% whereas metal is 40%, and while it works, I’m still waiting to be surprised. You see, the songs sound the same, with the same type of riffs, drum beats, and bombastic horns, etc. It’s not fresh anymore and less varied than the previous album perhaps. Nonetheless, it’s still exciting to hear their cinematic take on power metal, but the band are a one-trick pony. A shiny pony that exceeds every other pony at the power metal fair, however.
Will you join the fight? It is your decision, completely dependant on how much cheesiness you can stomach. Apparently my gut is made for this stuff; give me more sing-along melodies and I’m a happy man. Ultimately, I am satisfied with this new release despite my minor gripes. I will be frolicking in these dwarf mountain harmonies for quite some time. I don’t need to defend this opinion too greatly, I’ll let the album sing for itself.
