Chapter Seven??!! When the hell did that happen?? Clearly it’s been a while since I last heard anything by Italian Symphonic Power Metal band Kaledon as I think they were merely on something like Chapter Three when I heard them around fifteen years ago and there was no mention of Legends or Forgotten Reigns on the two Scarlet releases I remember noticing a few years back. So, I feel a little embarrassed about not realizing that this is actually the band’s Eleventh studio album in a career spanning over 20 years. Looks like I’ve got a bit of catching up to do then…

Founding guitarist Alex Mele is still at the helm, ably accompanied, as he has been on all Kaledon’s albums, by fellow guitarist Tommaso Nemesio. But aside from this, probably the band’s most notable addition is current Temperance/Visions Of Atlantis vocalist Michele Guaitoli who debuted on the band’s impressive previous release “Carnagus: Emperor Of The Darkness”. Five years later the band have returned refreshed and reinvigorated with this seventh chapter in the aforementioned Forgotten Reign saga, the story of which I’ve missed fair chunks of so I’ll crash swiftly on to the music. Swiftly of course being the optimum word for the fabulously energetic Power Metal on display here.

The music is nicely involved and demands your full attention from the very first track. This isn’t an album that steers you towards a catchy chorus, each track twists itself around thundering drums, bass and rhythms, intertwining with symphonic keyboards and occasional choirs, whilst being driven forward at every turn by Mele’s exuberant guitar playing. I must admit however that Guatoli’s exemplary performance does rather steal the show. Unleashed as the lone main vocalist for once, he draws on a range of styles and influences, all delivered with total power and conviction, whether it’s a technical bridge or memorable chorus, his vocals utterly shine.

But this wouldn’t be possible without the intelligently written and arranged tracks that are on offer. The band tread a fine line – stopping short of over-orchestration and reigning in the progressive just enough to let the pace of many of the songs to soar. There is just enough on the melody side to hook you in on first listen, but plenty within the music and vocal arrangements to keep you wanting to hear the album more and more. There’s even guest appearances from Nicoletta Rosellini (Kalidia) and James Mills (Hostile). This album has the maturity and confidence of a band on their eleventh outing, but is delivered with the excitement and energy of a much younger outfit. This is a very impressive Power Metal album indeed, so If you’ll excuse me, it appears I’ve got a rather extensive back catalogue to discover.

(8/10 Andy Barker)

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https://kaledon.bandcamp.com/album/legend-of-the-forgotten-reign-chapter-vii-evil-awakens