In an age of crystalline wonders destiny sundered the paths of two siblings. Eirene and Lork, intertwined in hardened spirit, yet divided by fate.
Ancient Bards starts the most beautiful ancient story ever. A continuation of The Black Chrystal Sword Saga: ”Artifex”, released on the 25th of April is the fifth studio album by this Italian Symphonic Power Metal band.
”My Prima Nox” opens with some beautiful singing by an amazing choir. Which gives an feeling that we are part of an opera show. After the choir we hear some good old guitar and drum work. Lead singer Sara Squadrani sings full speed led by some double bass drum work by Federico Gatti. We hear the choir in between songs and the line: ”My Prima Nox” is Simone Bertozzi his growling work. Halfway the song we have a lovely guitar solo with a very loud and clear bass. Claudio Pietronik, Bertozzi and Martino Garattoni show us that even after six years, they still know what to do.
Ending ”My Prima Nox” with a huge scream from Squadrani. ”The Vessel” starts with an intro which would fit perfectly in De Droomvlucht or De Vogelrok from my fave theme park De Efteling. Huge credits for Daniele Mazza for his keyboard skills. Squadrani starts with a soft voice and some angelic vocals fitting the sound of the song. We hear a very low male voice. This is no other than Francesco Cavalieri from Dwarf Metal band Windrose, which fits even more the fantasy sound of this whole song. By the end Cavalieri shows his bariton skills and draws out the last note of the song.
A little moment for Mazza and his keyboard by ”Unending”. Squadrani sings little and soft and with lyrics like: How can I measure this love? It’s the Cosmos that grows without bounds. We have the perfect recipe for a love song. A true powerballad because of Squadrani her powerfull voice and all the instruments combined.
”Soulbound Symphony” gives us back the choir and some violin music played by no other than Gabriele Boschi from Winterage. But Ancient Bards wouldn’t be a symphonic power metal band if we don’t add some double bass drums to the violin part. Gatti can give his all during this intro. Simone Mularoni is another guest artist during the track and he get’s his moment to shine. A guitar solo halfway the song. I think all these things combined makes ”SoulBound Symphony” a song to love.
”Mystic Echoes” which is part of Suite of Requiem and Solace brings us back to the ancient world of Narnia, or maybe even Pandora from James Cameron‘s Avatar. Squadrani sings with the choir as backing vocals. After 3 minutes we are joined by the rest of the band. The song goes from slow and magical to uptempo and bombastic and ends with an eerie sound.
My favorite track of the album is ”Sea of Solitude”. Starting with a piano and Squadrani her angelic voice is sometimes all you need. The chorus reminds me of ”A Million Dreams” from the Musical Movie The Greatest Showman. The first time I heard this song I had tears in my eyes. I think this will not be loved by all the fans of the band. But I think it is a beautiful song and shows that you don’t always need bombastic sounds.
Overall I think ”Artifex” is a beautiful piece of powerfull music made by this band. It took a while to create this piece of art. Yes I call it a piece of art. But I think it is definetly worth the wait. But let’s hope the next album isn’t gonna take six years of waiting and hopefully the band will be touring with this album. Because I can’t wait till I can hear some of this masterpieces live.
Rating: 8,5/10
Release Date: 25th April 2025
Label: Limb Music
Writer: Milou
Tracklist:
- Luminance and Abyss
- My Prima Nox
- The Vessel
- The Empire of Black Death
- Unending
- Ministers of Light
- Proximity
- Soulbound Symphony
- My Blood and Blade
Suite of Requiem and Solace
- Mystic Echoes
- Under the Shadow
- Sea of Solitude
- Artifex
