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Sound Storm: Immortalia

Symphonic Power Metal

4.0/5.0

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Scarlet Records
by Craig Hartranft,  08.29.2012

Their name, Sound Storm, fits their musical style. Immortalia, their second release, is an epic tempest of symphonic power metal. After all, they are from Italy, the home of bombastic film score heavy metal. Nothing can be done halfway or halfhearted in this genre.

Sound Storm: nicely made up.

Essentially, it's full throttle from the gate with Sound Storm. You'll hear some of the fastest and most bombastic power metal anywhere in Back to Live, The Curse of the Moon, or Wrath of the Storm, by example. The musical stage is colored by lush orchestrations which feel like a cross between a dramatic opera and a Michael Bay action film. Philippe D'Orange's vocals are grand and Valerio Sbriglione's guitar solos soaring, only to be challenged by Davide Cristofoli's brilliant keyboard work.

Indeed, there's certainly nothing subtle about Sound Storm's music. Yet, it's not always bludgeoning and bombastic. Seven Veils is actually more moderately paced, by comparison to many other songs, and seems to move more on the symphonic orchestrations. Watching You Fading also has slower pace, keeps the highly orchestrated context, but also has a more choral vocal arrangement. It's a nice respite from charging power metal that largely defines the album.

If you love all things about Italian symphonic power metal, Sound Storm's Immortalia is not to be missed. It's grand and bombastic, epic and outrageous, heavy metal. I think this band could put the smack down on both Rhapsody of Fire and Luca Turilli's Rhapsody with a simple back hand slap. Recommended if you dig the genre.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

If you love all things about Italian symphonic power metal, Sound Storm's Immortalia is not to be missed. It's grand and bombastic, epic and outrageous, heavy metal. I think this band could put the smack down on both Rhapsody of Fire and Luca Turilli's Rhapsody with a simple back hand slap.

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Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]