The Temple of Theil

This was Heimdall's last album with vocalist Claudio Gallo (sorry it has to be said who was pretty near terrible). The album that succeeded this was a top-notch power metal classic 'The Almighty' with a different far more talented vocalist - Giacomo Marcaldo.

Unlike Marcaldo's vocals on 'The Almighty' which were uniquely near operatic the vocals of Claudio Gallo on this album are quite horrid. In fact the only song which has good vocals on this album is track 4 "the oath" because it has a few backing vocals.

Excluding the poor vocals on this album it is actually a fairly decent power metal attempt. There is actually some superb fantasy-ambient interludes/tracks on this album (quite similar to what the band Fairyland used on their monumental album 'of wars in osyrhid'). What also stands out (apart from the shitty vocals) is the guitar work which on some songs is top notch and impressive.

Best tracks on the album? Track 4 'the oath' is a great power metal song with backing vocals which in the chorus sound very epic and effective. Track 7 is also a fantastic catchy instrumental piano/ambient track which fits the fantasy concept of the album. Overall this is a fairly good power metal album, worth the buy. It's just the vocals that decrease it's rating to just over average.