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Royal Hunt A Life To Die For

Melodic/Symphonic/Power Metal

5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Records
by Craig Hartranft
11.15.2013

Royal Hunt has never done anything small or halfway. It's not in founder and keyboard player Andre Andersen's nature. For their twelfth album, A Life To Die For, they've made things even big and better by recording with an orchestra and choir.

Royal Hunt: wardrobe to die for.

Most times this addition is prominent and immense, offering the bombastic color required for Royal Hunt's melodic metal, notably at the start with Hell Comes Down From Heaven, later with One Minute Left To Live and Won't Trust, Won't Fear, Won't Beg (dig those booming kettle drums). Sometimes the orchestration is more subtle, more than a mere accent, but definitely not overwhelming as within Sign of Yesterday.

While the orchestration is significant some songs turn on other factors. For instance, One Minute Left To Live gets it's lyrical urgency from some galloping power metal. Then Running Out Of Tears has a more rock groove and catchy sing-a-long chorus. With all this you have the traditional Royal Hunt elements like Andersen's grand arrangements, DC Cooper's strong, focused, vocals, and sharp guitar lines from Jonas Larsen.

Ramping up their game with an orchestra and choir makes A Life To Die For pure melodic, symphonic, power metal gluttony. It's pure Royal Hunt, and it's all good. Quite recommended.

Royal Hunt - A Life To Die For (Official Lyric Video)

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Ramping up their game with an orchestra and choir makes A Life To Die For pure melodic, symphonic, power metal gluttony.

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By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]