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Rating: In 1999, Nocturnal Rites sounded like this; in 2000, Hammerfall still sound the same...
In fact, the two albums in question, Renegade and The Sacred Talisman, are very similar. Both have a fantastic hit, Renegade, Ride On, the genre is the same along with the country of origin (Sweden). It's a pity that a year has passed between these two, an eternity for power metal...
Nocturnal Rites have radically changed style, moving towards a darker-tinted power, perhaps the CD that we will receive a year later from Hammerfall.
Unfortunately, The Sacred Talisman wasn't given much attention at the time, an era when CDs of this genre were released in abundance, but... damn, it's beautiful.
I know very well that ballads like The Legend Lives On have been written by the millions, but hearing them with Anders Zackrisson's voice (listen to around 3:35 minutes of the aforementioned song) is a whole different thing. I've never heard a singer like him; actually, to be honest, I've heard many, but few with his pathos that really give you chills.
The choruses of every single song seem made to stick in your mind and never leave, as well as testing your falsetto with catchy choirs and various counterpoints. The numerous speed songs on the album, Ride On, Free At Last, or Destiny Calls, will instead put your headbanging skills to the test.
Special mention for Nils Norberg's technique, who with his trusty tremolo bar enthralls us with ultra-fast, ultra-smooth, ultra-technical, and ultra-swept solos.
This is Power metal Alright with a capital P (and A), so away with problems, the usual everyday nonsense, away with Metallica, Dream Theater, away with the ones who are a pain because Dream Theater isn't spelled right, away with everything, close your bedroom door, turn the volume up to the max, and enjoy the essence of pure Scandinavian power metal.
The only problem is that this CD is nearly impossible to find...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
06 Eternity Holds (04:00)
Long ago in an ancient time
Might men would gather
To witness what the prophet would proclaim
He spoke of powers and endless might
The gift of a second sight
See all the secrets in the unknown
Ride the storm, ride to be
Infinity lies open to read
Eternity Holds
It would blacken the sun forever
Magic will prevail
It makes the sky burst into flames
Speak the words of the mystery
And the world will come to fall
It's their will, their time has come to stay
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