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Terra Atlantica: Beyond The Borders
HTerra Atlantica - Beyond The Borders Album Album Art

Terra Atlantica: Beyond The Borders

Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal
4.5/5.0

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Pride & Joy Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 30.09.2022 | Released: 16.09.2022

Created some five years go, Terra Atlantica hails from the Hamburg area of Germany. Their first appearance came with their 2017 debut album A City Once Divine. The album was the start of their fantasy concept, best described as a steam punk, sea-faring adventure revolving around various actors and a mythical city called Atlantica. The band arrives with their third installment of the story with Beyond The Borders, which takes place 20 years after Age Of Steam. The story is creative and coherent; you can read more about Atlantica at their Internet site. (As usual, with my digital promo, I was not supplied with the lyrics by either the band, label, or PR agency.)

Terra Atlantica Click For Larger Image

Terra Atlantica

Musically, the Atlantica fantasy is presented in classic European melodic power metal, yet with some nuances. Those nuances begin with some impressive orchestration by Aeternitas guitarist Alexander Hunzinger. Wherein a large smattering of bright keyboards are found throughout this album. There also appears to be some folk nuances with flute (perhaps) and acoustic guitar.

Additionally, Terra Atlantica taps into some Civil War era music with their song, Guns And Drums. The song borrows quite specifically from bandleader Patrick Gilmore (writing as Louis Lambert) and his famous song, When Johnny Comes Marching Home (wherein the melody reminds of Irish folk music). After this, you get the usual power metal suspects: speed, groove, fine guitar solos, and excellent vocal and choral harmony, one of Terra Atlantica's best musical features.



Some song highlights include Beyond The Borders, The Scarlet Banners, and Hellfire, all solid and speedy trad power metal songs (with exceptional guitar solos). For evidence of that orchestration, folk elements, and fine vocal arrangement check out Far From Alive. A ballad in duet comes with Just One Look with an assist from Katharina Stahl who appeared on previous Terra Atlantica albums.

All things written, Terra Atlantica's Beyond The Borders displays a band skilled at writing a coherent and complex fantasy story and then setting that same story in well-crafted and entertaining, significantly orchestrated, melodic power metal. I know many so-called metal fans enjoy casting condescending aspersions about power metal, but Terra Atlantica is the real deal. Recommended for fans of Avantasia, Rhapsody Of Fire, Labyrinth, perhaps Sonata Arctica.

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The Take Away

Terra Atlantica's Beyond The Borders displays a band skilled at writing a coherent and complex fantasy story and then setting that same story in well-crafted and entertaining, significantly orchestrated, melodic power metal. Recommended.

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