Italy. Home to the heavy hitting gothic metal of Lacuna
Coil, the atmospheric blackness of Opera IX, and the larger-than-life
symphonies of Rhapsody. Home also, to power metallers Skylark. Having
a discography dating back to their The Horizon andThe Storm EP
in 1995, they are a band that has only now been brought to my attention.
The Princess' Day is one of those albums that
require a good few listens in order that I might identify both virtues
and faults. Kicking off with the title track, it's very evident that it
is the drums that rule the roost, with vocals that remind me somehow of
Sonata Arctica and Insania. Indeed, those of you familiar with the works
of Insania will doubtless notice a few other similarities in the sound.
The drums and keyboards clearly taking a front seat, with the lively chug-chug
of the rhythm guitar buried in the mix. It's a shame, because there are
some very nice ideas scattered about, that simply need more weight behind
them. This is particularly true of "Journey Through Fire," though
the glorious lead solo (compliments of Fabrizio 'Pota' Romani) comes slicing
wonderfully through the layers of instruments, and goes some way towards
making up for it.
The lyrics are utterly abysmal, especially when stood
next to those that run alongside Rhapsody's Algalord Chronicles, but luckily
they do not affect the merits of the music to any great extent.
Well, it isn't what I would call essential power metal listening, but
to give credit where credit's due, Skylark have nonetheless done a fine
job, and nobody can take that away from them.
