Released by: Independent
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Power Folk Metal
Links: https://mirrorshield.bandcamp.com/album/visions-from-a-crystal-light
Line Up:
Tim Read – Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin
Jarred Bush – Guitar
Erin Kelly – Bass Guitar
Dani Read – Drums
Tim Brown – Keyboards
Tracklist:
The Messenger
Of Ancient Note
Osthill Mystic
Petalfig’s Path
Of Orcs and Men
Ash Falls Upon The Dead Earth
Evergreen
Respite (Instrumental)
Woods of Oryana
Dawn’s Embrace
The Battlemage Requiem
The press release for this album would resonate deeply with power metal enthusiasts – particularly those who enjoy Dungeons & Dragons and aren’t afraid to don capes at concerts. While Slipknot fans might dismiss it as overly theatrical, Mirrorshield clearly knows their target audience isn’t in that camp.
From the opening track, the album plants itself firmly in medieval/Celtic power metal territory, weaving tales that would feel at home in Dragonlance or Song of Fire & Ice. The narrative unfolds within their fantasy realm of Eremoss, introducing characters like the whimsical Pixie Druid Nif Petalfig and chronicling the devastating destruction of the Eldenblot region by Blood Elves and Dragons.
The album’s strengths lie in its symphonic metal foundations – delivering robust fantasy-driven compositions with compelling lyrics and maintaining an energetic pace throughout. However, the vocal performance by Tim Read presents some notable concerns. Despite being credited as the sole vocalist, his delivery varies jarringly between styles – sometimes effectively employing a baritone range, other times attempting high-pitched passages reminiscent of Crimson Glory’s Midnight, and occasionally settling somewhere between with apparent vocal effects. While the lower register passages succeed, the higher-pitched segments often sound strained and off-pitch. This inconsistency proves distracting enough to detract from the overall experience.
Reviewed by Adrian Hextall
Score 6/10
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