Struggle of the Gods is the debut album from Italian band Tales and Legends. It was released towards the end of last year – though I came across it recently and am pleased to say it is a huge, majestic, sweeping slab of heavy/progressive/symphonic metal and a loose concept album with a mythological slant bringing in various mythological gods such as Set and Horus.
It is extremely well done. Quite grandiose in scale without suffering from being over the top. The band is tight and the standard of musicianship out of the toppest of top drawers.
Huge, powerful riffs, proper tub-thumping drumming pumping away driving things along, soaring, sweeping, atmospheric keyboards and synths and soaring vocals. Oh – and the solos are glorious too with how the guitar and keys interplay quite breath taking.
The tale unfolds as the album progresses starting with a brief spoken intro scene-setter before things kick off in a fine powerful, progressive and melodic Epic Ride of Horus. Top stuff. Have a listen.
The pace and standard of composition, performance and delivery does not let up. The Fighters nice and heavy. Tales and Legends gloriously proggy and of an epic scale. Holy Temple a thudding instrumental with the guitar and keys combining so well.
On and on the melodic power metal goes as the concept is played out in breathless style leading to the epic crescendo of the title track where everything gets thrown at it and then some.
Struggle of the Gods is a fine, fine album make no mistake. A particular highlight for my ears is Andrea Atzori and his sumptuous keyboards. The CD booklet states he wrote and composed all the songs – which is likely why the keys are right up there all the way and he puts in quite a performance.
As do all the band. Such a superb debut album of rich compositions of powerful, progressive, symphonic heaviness all so skilfully done with a top notch production. And a nice concept to boot….! Let’s hope there’s more to come from Tales and Legends.
>> TALES AND LEGENDS STRUGGLE OF THE GODS ON AMAZON <<