Just over two years after 'Lionheart' (see review here), we find the Austrians of 'Serenity', led by singer 'Georg Neuhauser' with a new album 'The Last Knight'. The recipe is now well established with an epic and symphonic metal style which was already in the previous opus at its climax and this time, it is the story of the Roman Emperor Maximilian I which is told in 'The Last Knight'.
After the symphonic instrumental introduction with its grandiose choruses containing all the ingredients of a film music of knights to conquer the grail, 'Invictus' sets the scene with a first refrain that never lets you go, then, 'Set The World on Fire' adds a layer with melodic lines which should be taken over by the whole audience in concert. And to drive the point home, ‘Keeper of the Knights’ and ‘Souls and Sins’ continue in this path and send us two new songs with simple but terribly effective melodic lines. Without transition, 'Kingdom My Kingdom Comes', on a title alternating different tempos, brings a certain variety and recalls certain titles of the first opus of ‘Serenity’ and ‘Queen of Avalon’ returns to the epic atmosphere with a new heady refrain. After so much energy, it is with ‘My Farewell’ that the well-deserved break arrives also showing the Austrians' talent for power ballads, admittedly commun, but which nonetheless remains very effective. The last titles return to the style of the beginning of the album, with first 'Down to Hell' and a new refrain which remains anchored, then, the powerful and fast 'Wings of Pride' and 'Call To Arms' with remarkable refrains and a catchy rhythm, and finally, the beautiful resumption in acoustics of 'Souls And Sins' with a beautiful accompaniment on acoustic guitar which completely transforms this title.
In summary, the Austrians of 'Serenity' continue the momentum of 'Lionheart' and 'The Last Knight' contains hymns which will undoubtedly be taken up in concert and which will make happy with their fans but also with an audience loving an epic and symphonic power metal... | |
