Score to a New Beginning

Fairyland | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Napalm /Spv
• ASIN: B001UDPBW8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,539 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philippe's Grand Concept A Masterpiece, June 7, 2009

By 

C. M. Gillum (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Score to a New Beginning (Audio CD)

Back in 2007 the band known as Fairyland parted ways even after a successful release of their second album Fall of an Empire and an equally successful tour with Kamelot and Leave's Eyes. But the story didn't end there as long time lead member of the group Philippe Giordana took the reigns all on his own and enlisting instead the services of guest musicians rather then seeking a new line-up for the band. In the long run this might have been a great turn of events for the music as a whole.

Score To A New Beginning doesn't stray far off the track from previous releases under the Fairyland banner and in my opinion simply improves their original sound and style. Philippe allowed his imagination to run rampant and what we get is an extremely adventurous, anthematic, epic Power Metal album with an onslaught of extremely gifted musicians contributing to the finished project.

Not many bands could build the climax that tracks such as "Across The Endless Sea Part II" unfolds to, let a lone one man. This one track shows the similar style of fast paced Power Metal backed by roaring leads and entrancing orchestral arrangements as other Fairyland releases but pushes the ideal further. Choir lead chorus' and even a Keyboard lead that strongly reminded me of Stratovarious turn this one track into an instant classic in the genre.

Philippe slows things down on "A Soldiers Letter" using classical piano, over powering bass and some very pleasant acoustic leads. Later on a track like "Godsent" we get a fairly standard Fairyland feel with straight forward fast paced Power Metal and little filler. The arrangements on each track are what set them apart and allow them to stand on their own. Some tracks make me think of pirates battling on the high seas while others bring to mind epic battles of knights and wizards defending against dragons, he truly captured a vivid landscape with this album.

However the track that stands above the rest easily is the epic just short of nine minute title track. The song captures every aspect of the album from the almost depressing lows to the anthematic highs, including one of the most addictive chorus' on the album and some of the finest leads I have heard under the Fairyland banner. The title track and the previously dissected "Across The Endless Sea Part II" are must hear tracks by fans of the Power & Progressive Metal genre's.

All in all Score To A New Beginning is a powerful release that should (at least in my opinion) solidify this band's place among the best of the best of this style of music. The chorous' remind me of Blind Guardian's classic Nightfall in Middle-Earth while the faster paced style of the guitars and drums isn't far off from the Power Metal poster boy's Kamelot's amazing The Black Halo. This album is a must for all fans of Symphonic Metal and most importantly the fans of the Power & Progressive Metal genre's. Thank you fr reading and I hope my review interested you and ultimately encouraged you to purchase this amazing album. Thanks again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And Thought Fall of an Empire was Fabulous, July 2, 2011

By 

Mr D. "Artist/Designer/Kibitzer" (Cave Creek, Az United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Score To A New Beginning (MP3 Download)

There's reason this album has an almost solid five star rating and that is this is one of the best, if not the best melodic power metal albums I've ever heard. Yeah, I have other favorites like Hastings 1066, A Time Never Come and a few others, but none are any better than this album, it is that impressive, so buy it. You won't be disappointed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words can't do it justice., March 15, 2010

By 

Travis Johnson - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Score to a New Beginning (Audio CD)

What can I say? This is simply the best type of music in the world. That may seem like an opinion, but to me, it is completely factual. Anyone who reads this review probably has some interest in symphonic power metal already, so I don't think I need to describe it very much. Then again, how would I describe an experience so divine and mind-blowing? All you need to know is that this is one of the best CDs of it's kind. It is better than Dark Moor, Nightwish, Visions of Atlantis, and even Rhapsody!

I won't go through every song, but overall, this album is extremely epic and majestic. It will inspire you and fill you with a sense of adventure. The choirs and orchestra are as beautiful as any movie soundtrack I've heard, and the metal is faster, heavier, and more intense than most well-known metal bands. It truly is a shame that 99.99999% of the people in the world will never hear music this good.

Other highlights are the keyboard solos and the lead vocals. They display incredible talent that is quite rare. You will DEFINATELY be impressed! Everything else (guitars, drums, etc.) is also very much above average. Anyway, my favorite songs are Across the Endleass Sea (Part II), Assault on the Shore, and End Credits (SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!).

Thanks for reading. Now please buy this CD. It will leave you breathless.