The Princess' Day

Right after releasing the two album concept series known as the Divine Gates albums, Skylark return in 2001 to unleash more of their trademark brand of symphonic speed metal. This time, however, the disc isn't loaded with special guest appearances like the previous two albums were. So all five members (along with new drummer, Carlos) of Skylark are back in full force on this one. The fantasy themes are toned down a notch here, but the concept that was started with the Dragon's Secrets album is still in tact here albeit this album is the finale to that very concept.

The Princess Day' starts off much in the same way the last album did..that being with a brief spoken female part. This thankfully doesn't detract from the song, which (after a harpsichord piece) quickly blasts into a firestorm of double bass and flute mastery. Oddly enough, the usual expected power metal high note that starts a lot of power metal albums nowadays is neglected here and instead you instantly hear Fabio Dozzo's mid-range voice to start off the pace of the album. The chorus of this song is highly outstanding, mainly because of the sing-a-long factor that is lent to us by the backing vocals, which are done by the lead singer himself. The song stays in full force up until its breakdown that comes complete with slow piano and guitar and a nice clean melody that is topped off with an operatic female voice. The song's goes back into its chorus of doubled over vocals and then quickly ends.

The vocals of Fabio Dozzo on this album are more laid back and mid paced than usual. He is really coming along as a very good singer in the power metal field. Besides that, his use of backing vocals are THE best I've heard and are one of the memorable features of every song.

I Will Cry Tonight is a somewhat speedy but sweet symphonic number reminding me of a romantic piece in an old movie or something to that effect. Once again, here we're treated to a good dose of expressive vocals (and nicely timed melodic backup vocals) and even a lovely classical interlude which is met in tandum with a guitar solo that fits like a glove. Furthermore impressive is the extreme range of vocalist Fabio who hits another break glass note at the end of this song.

Journey Through the Fire carries with it a hefty load of atmosphere and begins even with an intense buildup. Buildup, you ask? Well, it begins with a slow piano melody, which is soon met by a stomping guitar riff and crashing symbols all over the place and then all of a sudden (thats right, you guesses it) heavy sounding as hell double bass. The opening verse is very convincing as its complete with very expressive vocals, galloping double bass and fast guitar rhythm guitars. Then it has a great sing-a-long chorus that has the grandeur of any of many great Helloween songs. The guitarwork of Pota in this song is nice and crunchy and drummer Carlos is all the place. Thats not all though, Eddy Antonini gives us another performance in form of a harpsichord solo which is again is slammed together with a guitar solo from the fast fingered guitarist Pota.

Fabrizio "Pota" Romani is finally back in front on this album (he hardly played on the previous album) and offers more fast rhythms than anything. His riffs aren't really out in front so much because this is a keyboard driven, sypmphonic band, but there is no shortage of thrash metal paces and virtuouistic solos.

Another Life is a Skylark staple. This it contains all of their trademark elements in full force. Quick drumming and symbol crashing is the backbone of melodic vocals, metallic guitars, and whimsical keyboard passages. And thats not saying anything about the bass here. Bassist Brodo goes insane with his six string bass here. Whats even more is his lengthy bass solo at the end of the song. Thats right, a bass solo filled with cool tapping and a relaxing tone that is kept in line by magical sounding harpsichord.

Hope is yet another fine classical piece by keyboardist, Eddy Antonini. But nevermind any comparison to Rhapsody with this one.. this track serves merely as a buildup to Rufus which is sang very expressively by Folco Orlandini and Eddy. Rufus begins differently with a more bombastic sound. Sweet and emotional guitar and keyboard melodies get the song going but its Brodo's bass guitar that steals the show here. You'll hear here that he's not your average run of the mill power metal bassist. I'm still not sure how he does all of that bass noodling without a pick. Anyway, if you wanna talk classical music bringing to mind Mozart, then check out the middle section of this song. What we have here is a nice memorable orchestral piece that is all by its self..that is until its slammed right into another melodic and emotional Pota guitar solo thats filled with alot of bending a tapping.

Roberto "Brodo" Potenti's bass is all over the place in alot of the songs..he also taps more than the average bass player and he is capable of actually playing bass lines that can be either soothing or heavy and thick.

Symbol of Freedom is the riffiest song here. Its quite an uplifing song that starts with a quite a crunchy riff and alot of fast rhythms that are also found in alot of thrash metal. Anyway, once again here..Fabio's vocals are the highlight of the song. His delivery is flawless once again due largly to his own melodic backing vox. Another harpichord romp is squeezed in the middle of this song. Theres no guitar solo here (other than the reocurring lead found in beginning, middle, and end.) but instead once again theres a breakdown spot filled with gymnastic drumming, then piano, and another interpretation of the chorus done with beautiful female vocals.

The Tragedy, is the most poignant of the lot. Beginning with a spoken intro, (this time a male voice) and then going into some more gymnastic drumwork from Carlos this song is the epitamy of emotion. The verses here are very much filled with poignant imagry, passionate vocals, and more bass tapping. But really this song has it all. But other than those things, this song has the other things that Skylark are known for....quick drumming and insane double bass, and a classical, keyboard driven atmosphere.

Eddy Antonini's keyboard sound is the most prevalent sound to be heard. If you are wondering what classical music sounds like with crunchy riffs and double bass then give this album a try.

White Warrior is the heaviest and fastest song here compliments of Carlos (whose drumming is for the most part complex and always speedy) Its also the most Rhapsody-esqe...although more intense and less over the top than Rhapsody songs. A driving Maiden-like riff and insane double bass drive the song here. And then we have some of the most melodic, best power metal singing of all time ..overstatement?? Listen to the song before you disagree. Then the final climax of the album. A triple threat solo that is almost like a thrash tandum of hyperspeed guitar soloing, bass soloing, and double bass!! Don't turn it up too loud...it will blow your speakers!!! The song ends with a classical piece that is both poignant and memorable. This piece serves as the final chapter in Skylark's long running span of concept albums. The vocals here at the very end seemed like their turned up to a very high volume for some reason, completely different from the rest of the vocal sound...but still very cool! Rounding out the album is Princess of the Snow...this time in a classical, orchestral format. Yeah, its like Mozart joined a power metal band!! Its really that granduer.

The most noticable thing about Skylark though is the heavy use of keyboards from the founder of the band (and main song writer) Eddy Antonini. It seems like there is harpsichord everywhere...like I said before..its almost like heavy metal Mozart or Bach, only with alot of double bass added for effect.

Overall, I really can't say enough about this album as it is my absolute favorite ever. Its a culimation of all of Skylark's work up to this point. To sum it all up, this is classical symphonic speed metal as good as it can be played. You like Rhapsody or Helloween?..you'll like Skylark. As far as my knowledge of this genre of metal goes...this album is my favorite.