Release Date: April 25th, 2025
Label: Napalm Records
Genre: Symphonic Metal
Links: https://ancientbards.com/
Sara Squadrani – Vocals
Daniele Mazza – Piano & Orchestrations
Claudio Pietronik – Lead Guitars
Simone Bertozzi – Rythm Guitars & Growls
Federico Gatti – Drums
Martino Garattoni – Bass
Guest Vocalist on 03: Francesco Cavalieri (Wind Rose)
Guest Vocalist on 04: Mark Jansen (EPICA)
Solo Violin on 08: Gabriele Boschi (Winterage)
Solo Guitar on 08: Simone Mularoni (DGM)
Narrator on 01 and 13: Dave Silverstone
The Man on 13: Richard Browning
The Seller on 13: Robert N J
Tracklist:
Luminance and Abyss
My Prima Nox
The Vessel
The Empire of Black Death
Unending
Ministers of Light
Proximity
Soulbound Symphony
My Blood and Blade
Mystic Echoes
Under the Shadow
Sea of Solitude
Artifex
The 5th album from Ancient Bards begins with “Luminance and Abyss,” where bombastic orchestral work supports a spoken word intro. Within just 3 minutes of airtime, I find myself completely hooked as this opening sets the scene perfectly.
“My Prima Nox” follows the intro and launches the musical journey with 30 musicians and an orchestra blasting through my speakers. Sara Squadrani takes center stage as storyteller and narrator, while choral work adds remarkable depth. The band from Italy showcases their impressive talents when solos kick in around the song’s midpoint. We’ve previously mentioned that Italian power metal greatness might come from either something in their mountain water or perhaps the extra virgin olive oil present in nearly all their cuisine.
Whatever their secret, it clearly works effectively as “Artifex” fires from both speakers like buckshot aimed at clay pigeons. Gold is guaranteed with each hit as this track consistently delivers excellence. It presents Within Temptation’s vocal styling backed by Nightwish’s pioneering epic wall of sound. Male vocals occasionally appear to keep listeners slightly off-balance, approaching Francesco Cavalieri’s Wind Rose style.
The album delivers a flawless metal experience, with lyrics focusing more on ‘blockading armies’ than ‘dwarven miners,’ yet this triumvirate of styles perfectly serves the band’s strengths.
“Unending” offers necessary breathing space—a ballad Heart would proudly claim in their heyday. Sara’s voice shines spectacularly, deserving live performance with thousands of audience lights illuminating the stage.
With top-notch production drawing listeners into every note, hook and solo, the album continues energetically and doesn’t release its grip for just over an hour. Once the title track concludes, pressing <REPEAT> becomes the only logical action.
Score 10/10
Reviewed by Adrian Hextall
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