Skull and Bones - Tales from Over the Seas

Yarrr! About time the power metal genre was gifted with more piratical-themed antics that don't do things by halves! Having been active since 1993, but not releasing anything of substance until 2009, it's safe to say that the waters have been tempestuous for Italian metallers Great Master. I'm almost ashamed to admit that I had never heard of them until this year, upon the release of their fourth full-length album Skull & Bones: Tales From Over The Seas. What a title - and what an album. This is European melodic power metal of a high calibre that is appropriate to its lyrical theme without being self-indulgent or cringy. This is a wonderfully pompous affair that is as musically mature as it is fun.

The orchestral intro "Hostis Humani Generis" indicates the quality of the keyboard sounds on this album - as well as being a beautiful melody in and of itself. It crescendos nicely into the opener "Shine On". Odd as it may be to opt for a more martial, mid-paced track as an opener - the chorus is as anthemic as one could possibly ask for; the type you remember after only one listen. Following this song with the equally mid-paced "Over The Seas" and "Urca De Lima" was another odd choice which convinced me Great Master were never going to up the tempo, no matter how beautiful the melodies (that latter track especially contains some of the album's most luscious melody lines). However, after hearing the LP in its entirety, the only problem I could detect was that Great Master don't quite know how to structure an album.

Skull & Bones needs more careful placement of differently paced songs. There is too much of the same vibe in a row at certain points in the album and it would benefit from a more up-and-down feel. That said, after the mid-paced trio of opening tracks, the utterly blazing power metal hymn "War" knocks you on your ass with its fiery gallop and absolutely incredible chorus. After this, things continue in pretty much the same vein! "The Black Spot" is a menacing ode full of theatrical pomp; "Long John Silver" is a suitable lament for the famous character with a soaring refain; "Skeleton Island" is a suitably dramatic and up-tempo finale to proceedings... If only the final number, the jig-like semi-title-track "Skull & Bones" could have been positioned earlier on, it would have made for an appropriate theatrical ending.

There are many more ups and downs on this nautical journey, but just know that this is a thoroughly enjoyable romp that should appeal to fans of all walks of power metal. Special mention must go to vocalist Stex, who manages to lead the whole affair like some sort of piratical ringmaster who's having way too much fun. He shines on both the noble emotional outpouring of "A Hanged Man", and the evil menace of "The Black Spot". The rest of the band are firing on all cylinders too. Other than structure and song placement, there really isn't much to complain about here. Skull & Bones: Tales From Over The Seas is one of the best power metal releases of 2019 and I hope the Italians finally achieve the notoriety they deserve.