LIVE REVIEW: Sabaton, Accept and Twilight Force rock Dublin to the core

THERE are somethings that are reliable - atomic clocks, quasars, the seasons, the moons rise and fall, and Sabaton playing in Ireland - north and south - on a regular basis. Joachim and crew are always afforded an exceptional response, but when they played the Academy in Dublin they brought some mates along for the party!

Yep, the Swedish monster arrived in the Irish capital with Accept and Twilight Force, two bands that could earn headline status in their own right.

Playing with vigour and power Twilight Force were quick to get the Dublin crowd to their feet. Interacting with the gathering crowd from the off  'Heroes...' had the audience rising with fists in their air.

However, when Accept mounted the stage it was to rapturous a reception, The Teutonic maestros have been revered on this island for longer than they probably realise.

The opening duo of Stampede and Stalingrad amped up the atmosphere and throughout every song and every note and every exhortation from Mark Tornillo and every gesture from Wolf Hoffman the audience responded.

Whether it was classics such as the tumultuous version of 'Fast As A Shark' or more recent material from 'Blind Rage' Accept were greeted as conquering heroes. The synchronised guitar movements from Wolf and Uwe might be clichéd to the intelligentsia but to the adoring fans it was yet further fulfilment of Accept's stature.

The conclusion - 'Ball To The Wall' - is an inducement to singalong every note and every chant. Accept - come back soon!

As to Sabaton? Well, they do what they do so well. They are the maestros of metallic mayhem. opener 'Ghost Division' was followed by a raft of songs, and the lurking tank...

Sabaton do not glorify war, but they honour soldiers and their heroics throughout the ages. 'Carulous Rex' and 'Night Witches' were among the stand-outs, but the closing tracks elevated the show and the audience's response.

'To Hell And Back'...well no-one does the grandiosity and humour that Sabaton deliver is something special.

Serious in their intent and self-deprecating at the same time the Swedish metal machine may add and take away from their line-up (new members on show for this tour) but they, like Accept, have a presence and power that few can equal.

Pictures and review by Darren McVeigh
Addition editing by Jonathan Traynor

ALBUM REVIEW: Are Twilight Force taking the piss or riding to glory on Heroes of Mighty Magic

BACK in the 70s and 80s when a band wanted string sounds they had to hire a symphony orchestra, or get in some mates who knew the difference between a violin and a viola. Nowadays, some synths, studio trickery - hell even a keytar - you can pretty much have the orchestra at your fingertips.

All of which has contributed to the proliferation of band with the tags 'symphonic', 'power' or even 'adventure' before the mighty word 'metal'.

However, whether any of the proponents of these 'styles' are any good is something that relies on craftsmanship, songwriting, and for the listener that old-fashioned suspension of disbelief from the listener.

But, there are times when even the most devoted fan stands back utters the abbreviation "WTF!"

On first listen to Twilight Force's 'Heroes of Mighty Magic' you could be tempted to snigger, advise them to get an orchestra in to play and reign them in, and then give them a mighty slap around the back of the head and urge them to "wise up!"

But, we are not hasty reviewers. No, for to dismiss them out of hand on one scant listen would be unfair and not, well just not metal...

So, we raised a mug of mead (or three) and made ourselves comfortable and listened again. And, again. And, again. Then finally it clicked. These Swedish rocker's efforts are meant to be taken with a large pinch of humorous salt, a dig to the funny bone and appreciation for the over-the-top orchestration and musical histrionics.

This is firmly planted in the fantasy genre of rock - dragons, wizards, noble warriors etc.

And, this is where you have to really suspend disbelief, set aside the sub-Tolkien plot and go with the flow. Let the ridiculous nature of it all be a subject for escapism.

There is, however, no escapism in terms of the musical effort. This takes the whole scope of power and symphonic metal to a new level.

There are more axe fireworks than an explosion in a guitar factory, more keyboard sweeps than the waves around Hawaii, and vocal dexterity that would confuse Dynamo...

Chrileon's talent in lung-busting singing is only matched by Lynd's lead work and the incessant rhythm of Aerendir (guitar), Born (bass), and De'Azsh (drums) keep the album rolling along. The keyboards of Blackwald are to the fore throughout, often duelling with Lynd.

Songs are prefaced and punctuated with almost folksy elements and there is no shrinking away from taking songs to the lengths Twiligh Force wish to with 'There And Back Again' clocking in at 10 minutes plus and title track 'Heroes of Mighty Magic' just four seconds short of the 10 minute mark.

The latter features a stand-out guest slot from Joakim Brodén (Sabaton) and the former has Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire) stretching his vocal chords.

While these tracks allow the band to elucidate further on the vision of Twilight Force, other tracks such as 'Keepers of Fate' and 'To The Stars' can seem a little samey, unless you listen to them in the context of the album's story line.

And, the story is marred - seriously marred by the narration that occupies more than six minutes. The spoken piece of 'Epilogue'. If you have to tell the tale in words, there must be nagging sense that the story arc hasn't been completed.

It could easily have been cut out and let the martial music and choral elements of 'Knights of Twilight Might'.

Taken overall Twilight Force have produced an album that stays true to epic metal, has its tongue firmly thrusts into its cheek, and importantly rides to fantastical glory...

NEWS: Twilight Force release second trailer ahead of Heroes Of Mighty Magic

SWEDISH adventure metallers, Twilight Force, will release their sophomore album entitled ‘Heroes Of Mighty Magic’ on August 26th  through Nuclear Blast.

After revealing the first sonic taster from their opus last week, which we covered six days ago (click here) it's time to experience more about the making-of and the concept behind this magical musical journey.

Listen what the heroes have to say about their allies in the second album trailer here:

Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire) said: "I remember I was on tour with Rhapsody Of Fire and Gamma Ray in Scandinavia and while I was doin' some shows, the guys from Twilight Force called me and proposed that I be a guest on their new record...well...it was a great experience!

“I went into the studio with them and we had a great time together... a cool time with very cool guys... It took place on a day off from the tour... so I had some hours to do the parts, listen to the song and talk with the guys (...and drink some cappuccinos together!) I think the band were very nice with me and they had in mind exactly what they wanted from my collaboration... my parts were ‘epic’ and the vocal lines were made for my voice and style... I would like to thank them and I'm happy to know that Nuclear Blast is releasing this new work!

“I'm so sorry I couldn't attend their show in Northern Italy some months later. I really wish the best of luck to the guys and to their new work!"

More on ‘Heroes Of Mighty Magic’:
'Battle Of Arcane Might' Official Lyric Video is below. https://youtu.be/DP1R5cWC0jI
Listen to the song in the NB Novelties Playlist: http://sptfy.com/2zZF
Trailer #1: https://youtu.be/LnAG66N4K38

You can pre-order ‘Heroes Of Mighty Magic’ here:

Limited Edition Double CD
Limited Edition Magenta 2LP Gatefold Vinyl
Limited Edition Light Blue 2LP Gatefold Vinyl
Alternatively, pre-order the digital album and get 'Battle Of Arcane Might' instantly: http://bit.ly/TwilightForceiTunes

‘Heroes Of Mighty Magic’ - Tracklist:
01. Battle Of Arcane Might
02. Powerwind
03. Guardian Of The Seas
04. Flight Of The Sapphire Dragon
05. There And Back Again (feat. Fabio Lione | RHAPSODY OF FIRE)
06. Riders Of The Dawn
07. Keepers Of Fate
08. Rise Of A Hero
09. To The Stars
10. Heroes Of Mighty Magic (feat. Joakim Brodén | SABATON)
11. Epilogue
12. Knights Of Twilight's Might

Twilight Force are:
Chrileon | vocals, guitars
Born | bass
Lynd | lead guitars, lute
Aerendir | guitars
Blackwald | keyboards, piano, violin
De'Azsh | drums

NEWS: Sabaton's Joakim and Rhapsody of Fire's Fablio join in the Twilight Force on forthcoming album

SWEDISH ‘adventure’ metallers, Twilight Force, are set to release their new studio album ‘Heroes Of Mighty Magic’ on August 26^th on Nuclear Blast. 

And, the band have now revealed the guest bards on their forthcoming record. Fabio Lione from Rhapsody Of Fire joined them on track 'There And Back Again' and Joakim Brodén from Sabaton on title track, 'Heroes Of Mighty Magic'.

Joakim Brodén said: "When one of the best bands to come out of Sweden in a long time turns out to be your friends and people you have played with many times over the years, it's quite easy to feel proud about being invited to sing on the title-track of their new album, fantastic!"

Twilight Force, as a band, added: "It is an honour to have two of the most powerful, esteemed and renowned voices of the genre appear on ‘Heroes Of Mighty Magic’.Joakim Brodén and Fabio Lione are two very different sonic entities.

“They each bring something very unique and captivating to our tonal landscape. Our old and revered friend Joakim appears on the title track of the album, and provides an excellent contrast to Chrileon's voice, at just the right moment in the song.

“Nothing in the world even comes close to Joakim's unbelievably mighty voice! Fabio did an amazing performance on 'There And Back Again'.

 “He entered the Twilight Forge with a brave and proud mind, emerged victoriously and left us in complete awe. His familiar voice provided the track with an absolutely magical contribution.

 “We feel really humbled and grateful to have been given the opportunity to create something alongside these two titans of the genre!"