FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

This is the final installment of the trilogy about a time traveller and his wanderings through different lands. This band is from Denmark which is hard to believe when you listen to the music. They sound like they are from the UK and there is a Celtic feel to a lot of their songs. The music itself is very epic sounding Power Metal. I must confess i'm not a fan of this genre having tried to get into a few of BLIND GUARDIAN's cds a couple of years ago and coming away unimpressed for the most part.This has a lot of variety in it though, as well as some bagpipes, banjo, flute and violin that you won't often find in this genre. There are dual vocals at times, with the main singer having a DIO feel to his vocals.

The album opens with "Gather Ye Wild" as the sound of bagpipes and wind blowing introduces our subject. Nice guitar solo in this one as well as a blistering solo on the next tune "The Road Goes Ever On". There is a galloping rhythm and double bass drumming on the next song "Longing For The Woods Part 1 The Wild Children"."Highland Winds' is a really good song that features more bagpipes but it's the guitar solos that amaze me. "Longing For The Woods Part 2 The Ring Of Fire" has some double bass drumming with the guitar grinding it out, then bass, then keys, then guitar which is kind of cool. The melody 4 minutes in sounds like it doesn't belong, but it changes quickly as an all out assault follows.

Probably my favourite song is "The Bollard" with acoustic guitar opening the song before the violin comes in. Reserved vocals follow and we also are treated to some flute. It's the imagery though that the song brings to mind that makes this a must hear. Check out the lyrics. The next song has one of the best titles iv'e ever seen "Bad Hobbits Die Hard". Haha. This one is full speed ahead with a flury of keys and some great guitar. They change tempos so smoothly ! "Land Of Olden Glory" opens with reserved vocals but turns into a rocker with some scathing guitar solos. The pace slows down for the final 2 songs, the last being a bonus track with some intricte acoustic guitar melodies.

I have to give these guys credit for coming up with an album I like from a genre I really don't like a whole lot. I can easily recommend this to any Power Metal fans out there, as well as to Metal fans in general. 3.5 stars.