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Knightmare: In Death's Shadow
Knightmare: In Death's Shadow
Melodic Progressive/Power Metal
4.5/5.0
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Unsigned / Self-released
by Craig Hartranft, 11.26.2012
Knightmare is a promising power metal band from Melbourne, Australia. After presenting an EP in 2008, Unholy, the band delivers their first full length piece In Death's Shadow.
Knightmare:: beware the claw hand.
Calling Knightmare a power metal band probably isn't a sufficient, nor rewarding, description. The depth and sophistication of their song arrangements makes Knightmare more a progressive power metal band, without being grossly complex to the point of exaggeration. In other words, these four musicians pack a lot into every composition using the core components of guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards with a dose of cello.
Honestly, there's not a single bad song here. You have the intensity to be heavy metal, the blistering speed to be power metal, all in a melodic wrapper with enough twists and turns in tempo and time signatures to offer intrigue. It's all very well balanced in every songs which leads one to concluder that they put much though into every piece. Oddly, or not, the signature song that defines these characteristics is an instrumental piece, the closer Judgment. You could by the album for this song and probably be satisfied. However, you wouldn't want to miss on Cazador De Hombres, Granted Death, and Unity Through Chaos, three of the best songs here. Fundamentally: good stuff, and thoroughly recommended.
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Knightmare's In Death's Shadow is an impressive debut of melodic progressive power metal from this promising Australia band.
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