CHRONOSFEAR
“CHRONOSFEAR”
Album Review by Iron Mathew

8/10

Chronosfear are a symphonic power metal band from Italy originally formed in 2003 by drummer Michele Olmi as Wings Of Destiny, a covers band playing songs from many of the European power metal bands. Wanting to play own material, Michele re-founded the band as Chronosfear, and in 2013 released a demo. Over the next two years, the band was dogged with numerous line-up changes, solidifying in 2016, composing and recording their debut album in 2017. The self titled album was released in 2018.

‘Clockworks’ is a two minute atmospheric scene setting intro that builds majestically to a crescendo, ‘The Gates Of Chronos’ launching the album properly in a furious flurry of raucous riffs. Immediately, the distinctive symphonic sound overpowers the airways, a clean and clear vocal delivery chimes in, and ‘The Gates Of Chronos’ energetically runs on. An infectious and catchy opening salvo is quickly followed by the six minutes plus epic ‘Symphonies Of The Dreams Untold’. I have never really been into the symphonic metal genre, but every so often along comes an offering that turns my head and perks my ears up. This debut offering is one of those. The power metal influence is drawing me in, the catchy rhythms, the infectious grooves and no warbling, screechy, glass shattering female vocals…which is likely the reason that symphonic metal doesn’t often make my playlists.

‘Symphonies Of The Dreams Untold’ has held my attention for all its six magnificent minutes, something that has definitely surprised me, but pleased me at the same time. The heavily keyboards led ‘The Last Dying Ember’ scuttles off in a hurry, full of energy and pace, giving a rare opportunity to actually head bang properly. Excellent. The high tempo, high energy feel of the album is top notch, the majestic atmosphere each song creates is spine chilling at times, raising the hairs on the back of the arms. ‘Of Dust And Flowers’ drops the pace of the album to a stroll, but a swaggering one at that. A much heavier guitar sound and a slower pace, the hard hitting ‘Of Dust And Flowers’ does pick up the pace as it begins to run amok midway through. An awesome display of versatility and diversity from Chronosfear. ‘Faces’ brings a welcome return to the pace and power of earlier, and thunders on its way. The majestic atmosphere every song has, borders on the climactic, with Chronosfear delivering a punchy and raise your fists high in the air album.

‘Innocent And Lost’ is a second six minutes plus offering, however, this offering is mellow and very heavily keyboards led, and yes it’s a ballad, so get your lighters out and raise them high in the air. A much more soulful vocal display adds to the beauty of ‘Innocent And Lost’. ‘The Ascent’ immediately returns pace back to the album, but also with a more hustle and bustle, “heavy metal” feel. A way too catchy sing a long style chorus will have you madly singing along. Oh what a classic heavy metal riff opens ‘Time Of Your Life’, sounding like it came straight out of the eighties NWOBHM evolution. That riff is pure gold and isn’t the last time you’ll hear it either. ‘Time Of Your Life’ a majestic heavy metal stride. ‘Revelations’ is full of electrifying pace as it lurches forward, emphatic in its sound with a superb atmospheric vibe. Once again, Chronosfear have served up a head bangers dream. ‘Homeland’ brings the album to a close in a blaze of keyboards and soulful vocals. A little different to everything that has gone before, ‘Homeland’ is one to raise lighted candles to and as it plays out, blow the candles out . . .

Overall, heavily led by keyboards, the debut offering from Chronosfear is highly energetic and infectious.

TRACKLIST

Clockworks
The Gates Of Chronos
Symphonies Of The Dreams Untold|
The Last Dying Ember
Of Dust And Flowers
Faces
Innocent And Lost
The Ascent
Time Of Your Life
Revelations
Homeland

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