Sound Storm - Immortalia

Back with their sophomore release Sound Storm are trying to create a very ambitious concept album. Taking the band’s power metal background as granted… they have blended drama, theatrical, heavy, gothic, symphonic, extreme and epic elements on “Immortalia”. The additional participation of the soprano Ilaria Lucille De Santis, adds more intensity to the album’s atmosphere. The use of choirs is very smart & overall, the song arrangements have been taken well care of although sometimes they are (a little bit) over the edge. The album production is very tight and powerful as it was done by Ettore Rigotti (Disarmonia Mundi). The cover artwork by Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Rage, Rhapsody of Fire, etc.) is also very imposing.
 
Well, above are some of the positive elements of this release. The fact that the band lacks originality and the similarities that has with other bigger bands of the genre such as: Rhapsody & Therion at times… does not help them separate themselves from the other many but also decent symphonic power metal acts of the scene. They kinda need some more memorable melodies – especially on their choruses.
 
This is not a bad album at all… especially if you consider yourself to be a die-hard symphonic power metal guy, then you will be pleased when listening to it. But then again, if you’re looking for something away from the cliché sympho-gothic, theatrical power metal standards… surely, this album can’t offer you that… just some fine listens instead.