Heroes Of Mighty Magic
Twilight Force enter their fantasy world without hesitation on Heroes Of Mighty Magic. Keyboards, choirs and fast drums fill the songs, with Christian Eriksson's high voice above them. The Swedish band have little interest in restraint. Even a simple chorus receives enough decoration to suggest part of a large film scene.
Battle of Arcane Might and Powerwind introduce that approach at full speed. The melodies are bright and the instrumental parts arrive in quick succession. Yet technical ability is only part of the attraction. Riders of the Dawn has the kind of chorus that makes you want to return, while To the Stars keeps its vocal line clear enough to survive all the activity around it. These songs commit completely to their own enthusiasm.
Flight of the Sapphire Dragon makes the connection with adventure-film music particularly clear. The keyboards help suggest an entire setting around the song. There and Back Again and the title track expand the scale further. Their longer running times allow for more orchestration and larger transitions, although the accumulation also demands plenty of attention from the listener.
All that excess has drawbacks. The guitars often lack weight against the keyboards, making the sound less forceful than the speed might suggest. The record could also use a tighter ending. After the large title track, the long spoken Epilogue brings the momentum to a halt, and the short final track does little to restore it.
Enjoyment ultimately carries the album, provided this approach to power metal appeals to you. Strong choruses and huge arrangements make Heroes Of Mighty Magic difficult to resist at its brightest. A shorter running time and more space for the guitars would have made this entertaining adventure a more convincing complete record.
