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Fairyland: Score To A New Beginning

Score To A New Beginning is the tile of latest epic metal masterpiece from Fairyland. I first discovered Fairyland with their last album Fall Of An Empire, and was mightily impressed with their entrancing music, so this was an easy purchase.

Formed in 1998, French band Fairyland's music could be classed as symphonic power metal, think of bands like Thy Majestie, Dark Moor and Luca Turilli's releases with their epic scale of music. Fairyland's music is also very grand in scope, this release screams epic, from the cover art to the lyrics and performances within.

Band mastermind Phillipe Giordana plays keyboards, acoustic guitars and handles backing vocals, the remainder comes from a long list of guest performers, whom have given many fine contributions on Score To A New Beginning. "Opening Credits" is the wonderful instrumental piece Fairyland open with, "Across the endless sea (Part II)" quickly reminds you this is also indeed a metal album, prompt double kicks and impressive inputs from the keyboard and guitar departments. There are many fine creative pieces on here from Phillipe, after being the only remaining member from Fall Of An Empire; he has done a fine job coming back so strong.

Score To A New Beginning is the best symphonic metal album of its kind I have heard in a while, epic concept albums have been few and far between. If you like to be taken away by your music, let Fairyland's Score To A New Beginning take you on a journey to a place called Osyrhia.


Tracklist:
1. Opening credits
2. Across the endless sea (Part II)
3. Assault on the shore
4. Master of the waves
5. A soldier's letter
6. Godsent
7. At the gates of morken
8. Rise of the giants
9. Score to a new beginning
10. End credits

Added: October 16th 2009
Reviewer: Scott Jessup
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 5299
Language: english

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» SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews:

Fairyland: Score To A New Beginning
Posted by Scott Ward, SoT Staff Writer on 2009-10-16 16:45:02
My Score:

Philippe Giordana is a visionary musical mastermind and on the third album from his project called Fairyland, that magical ability to produce epic metal that leaves you gasping has never been more evident. After parting ways with his band mates, Philippe chose a different path with this release. He took over the reigns of most of the instruments and brought in a host of guest vocalist and relinquished some of the dynamic guitar parts to a scintillating group of musicians. You will find some awesome six string solos and most have been contributed by a variable who's who of progressive metal guitarist.

This is one of those albums that is going to totally enthrall you. With a sweeping majestic power and elegance Giordana has raised the bar to heights that few can even try to ascend. From the starting instrumental track "Opening Credits" to Flora Spinelli's gorgeous vocals on the closer "End Credits", Fairyland delivers the goods. Filled with glorious orchestration and a dramatic flair that Jim Steinman would be very proud of, each song is a treasure trove of epic metal wrapped in a cornucopia of sound that makes this disc seem larger than life.

Marco Sandron (Pathosray) is the voice for most of this disc. His ability is one of the essential parts to making this album work so well. Along with Georg Neuhauser (Serenity), the afore mentioned Flora Spinelli and a host of others, the singing duties are admirably carried out. Marco has a sense of the dramatic that carries over so well in this album that I can see many more collaborations in the future. This is a match made in heavy metal heaven.

Giordana also enlist some help in bringing you this masterpiece from some guitar axemen who know a thing or two epic metal. Alessio Velliscic (Pathosray), Alex Corona (Revoltons), Olivier Lapauze (Heavenly), Hugo Lefebvre & Yann Mouhad (Anthropia) and Remy Carrayrou (Kerion) all contribute solos to this project. Each of these guys has their own view on how to bring on the metal and this diversity in styles is one of the things that make this disc sound so new and exciting.

This album has something for everyone. The elegance of the keyboards in "A Soldier's Letter", the majesty of the title track "A New Beginning", the vast scope of the soundscape painted in "Rise Of The Giants" all are examples of the huge canvas that Fairyland uses to paint this masterpiece. It is a breath taking piece of work that is a must have for any person who loves great music. This is easily one of the best of this year and for that matter, any year.

Fairyland: Score To A New Beginning
Posted by Michael Popke, SoT Staff Writer on 2009-07-17 09:24:45
My Score:

I doubt there could be a more inflammatory name for power-metal haters to latch onto than Fairyland. After all, the stereotypes are obvious: this music is populated by warriors on the ultimate voyage across an alternate fantastical universe. But listeners who get past the name will discover a riveting French outfit — actually, Fairyland is now a one-man band — that deftly swirls classical music and heavy metal into a dense cinematic storm, complete with "Opening Credits" and "End Credits." Philippe Giordana handles all keyboards, acoustic guitars and programming, while a flurry of guests takes over vocals and guitars. I wish I could share with you the names of the fine lead and gang vocalists and guitarists who help make Score to a New Beginning Fairyland's most satisfying album. But, alas, Napalm Records did not supply me with that info, and the band's web site lacks such details, as well.

Epic in both vision and scope, this is the final installment in the trilogy that also includes Of Wars in Osyrhia and The Fall of An Empire. Think Rhapsody but more accessible, Blind Guardian but smoother, and Kamelot but more captivating.




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