The Almighty

The band Heimdall, hailing from Salerno, Italy and doing what many Italians do...make power metal! Heimdall, I find to be, is no ordinary run of the mill power metal band though. The band has found a very powerful vocalist in Giacomo, who replaces Claudio the old vocalist who had a tendency to go for every high note possible. Now they have low operatic chants backing up the vocalist adding more atmosphere (the power of the music!) more melodic guitars, fast driving drums and the occassional synth to add a more dramatic feel.

The renewed and revived start this cd off with "The Calling" a deceiving piece because it begins with a soft tone then BAM all the instruments take off! After about 3 minutes and 30 seconds of the driving tune the break into a baritone chant that brings in the need to answer the call! The song continues after and finishes well.

After the track 1 you have "The Search" a beautiful track beginning with piano and vocals. The lyrics "You died for those words, you lived for those words" are beautifully sung, as the guitars fade in and the drums begin pounding away. It starts off seeming like a ballad but no ballad here, its still fast and as metal as you want! Then after another chorus of "you died..." it breaks into a solo, which is quite well done and keeps the momentum and feel of the song intact...which some solos I've heard really are well done but destroy the feel of a song...not here though! After theres more piano and some female chanting and Giacomo's voice still serves him well.

Numero 3 on the list is "The Eternal Race" another fast song with some piano laid behind the guitars. The chorus is a good sing along and has some good placement for the backing baritone vocals. After about 2 minutes and 20 seconds the song slows down and the bass and drums take over for a bit. It builds and builds as the vocals, guitar and piano come back into the mix. The song kicks up again and finishes powerfully as only this band can do!

Track 4 "Godhall" beginning with acoustic and then taking off, but this song isn't a fast paced one such as the others. The vocals are excellent once again, one of the best voices I've heard. This song is heavier in some ways and more dramatic so the backing baritone play a larger roll. There is a guitar backing up the other guitars as well if you listen closely and for me it added a special touch to the song. The solo later on is well done and the songs finishes off with acoustic.

"The Wanderer" adds a little more keyboards/synth to the mix and the album speeds up again, vocals are well done, well paced drums and heavy melodic guitars. With about 1 minute and 20 seconds left in the song after the solo the baritone vocals come in and set up a powerful ending to the song.

"Return To The Fatherland" has one of my favorite intros on this album with a melodic guitar riff and driving drums. This riff plays a main role and I find it to be my favorite on the album. Leading into a solo which keeps the powerful melodic feel of Heimdall! The song finishes strong too with Giacomo's final line.

The "Last Journey" has more of a chugga chugga riff going in the song and a catchy chorus. ABout half way through the song another meaningful solo superbly done by the guitarist. Another awesome finish for this song as well.

"Beyond" has a heavy beginning but hits into the melodic area right after,then quiet...the bass and drums take a larger role with Giacomo's singing. This song I find is much slower than the others but not just a "filler" song. A chugga chugga riff appears and a powerful chorus (pure Heimdall style!). A well done solo is in the song and after is a quiet soft part with Giacomo singing a beautiful chorus with the baritone backing...one of my favorites in terms of vocal lines on this album. The song then fades out with the instruments and baritone vocals.

The album ends with "Symit" which is mostly acoustic though the piano and a soft flute melody make an entrance. This song is much slower and softer but it is beautifully done and the vocals really shine as they intertwine with eachother. A good way to wind down the album but keep the dramatic powerful feel.

I died for this album and lived for this album! Power metal fans will like this album asmuch as I and I reccommend owning their most recent album "Hard As Iron" if they like Heimdall's style.