23.
FAIRYLANDTHE FALL OF AN EMPIREEpic Symphonic Metal
released November 24th, 2006
via Napalm Records
1. Endgame
(instrumental) [1:16]
2. The Fall of an Empire [5:55]
3. Lost in the Dark Lands [6:01]
4. Slaves Forlorn
(instrumental) [1:11]
5. The Awakening [4:50]
6. Eldanie Uellë [5:21]
7. Clanner of the Light [6:01]
8. To the Havenrod
(instrumental) [1:05]
9. The Walls of Laemnil [5:57]
10. Anmorkenta [6:01]
11. In Duna [5:02]
12. The Story Remains [10:38]
13. Look Into Lost Years [3:04]
14. Across the Endless Sea [5:31]
THE FALL OF AN EMPIRE is
Philippe Giordana (Keyboards / Backing vocals / All composition & songwriting)
Max Leclercq (Lead vocals)
Anthony Parker (Lead guitars)
Thomas Cesario (Bass / Rhythm and lead guitars)
Pierre-Emmanuel Desfray (Drums)
WITHSarah Layssac (Lead vocals on 11)
Flora Spinelli (Lead vocals on 13 / Female vocals on 6)
This album was written entirely by keyboardist Philippe Giordana, who is the mastermind behind the French band Fairyland, and it shows. Each album takes place within his fictional fantasy world and is a concept record, but you can get by without ever digesting much of the plot. The record is already gloriously cheesy and epic enough; the plot is like the handful of cheese you add in to thicken it up.
Each track is a small epic in its own right, drenched in a virtual orchestra synthesized by the keyboards. At times the synthetic horns sound obviously cheap and dated, but the composition is smart and sophisticated enough to redeem the occasional low quality sound, and in a strange way adds a bit of unique charm to the record. The layers are intricate and dance with each other in such a way it sounds as if each orchestral instrument is an equal member to the core band. The piano gives way to bells and plays with woodwinds as horns swell and cry behind them, choirs bolster verses in languages both real and fabricated, and the strings do everything from taking the lead with fiery motifs (“The Fall of an Empire,” “Lost in the Dark Lands”) to laying down intelligent rhythmic patterns (“Eldanie Uellë”). The piano gets many moments to shine including a gorgeous solo in “The Awakening”.
“In Duna” and “Look Into Lost Years” are two orchestral songs without any semblance of rock or metal; two black sheep on the album, but two of my favorites (then again, every song is my favorite here). The three interludes are entirely choral and symphonic, and the 10 minute epic is carried largely by more strings and piano. But it’s not all sugar and gumdrops – while the production isn’t as good as it could be, there are some genuinely heavy, fast moments and entire songs on this record. The title track, “Lost in the Dark Lands,” “Clanner of the Light,” “Anmorkenta,” “The Story Remains,” and “The Walls of Laemnil” all feature some combination of speedy riffing and drumming, mighty riffs, grand vocal choruses, and shreddy solos. Is it enough to satisfy pure metalheads? Probably not. But a pure metalhead probably isn’t even reading this, so…
In Summary: This is an incredibly difficult album to sell anyone unless they’re super into power/symphonic metal and/or all things fantasy. This is a record I would play over and over and over again while playing video games, especially World of Warcraft, but I also play it at any time of day, while driving, working out, doing chores… It’s one of the most creative, powerful albums on my top 50 list with some undeniably beautiful composition. Best I can tell anyone is to just give it a shot and listen with an open mind. Try the favorites, they’re to die for.
Katt’s Favorites: Lost in the Dark Lands,
The Awakening,
Clanner of the Light,
The Walls of Laemnil,
The Story RemainsListen to “The Fall of an Empire” by Fairyland on Spotify***
Story synopsis from the album booklet:Across the mountains...
Across the seas...
Across the skies and space...
Across time...
There was a land the gods named Osyrhia. On this land they rose 7 continents. On each of these continents, they put a king and to each king, they gave a stone... In its youth, this land was of incredible beauty. Its wealth and the wisdom of its inhabitants filled the Gods with contentment. So many wonders at reach could only call for envy. So came an evil being, whose heart was blinded by jealousy and selfishness. He was the first to brave the gentle Gods. But he was not alone... Eager for power, many followed him and soon tried by force to take over the wonders of Osyrhia. In time, this dark being was known from all as Cenos, "he who gathers" in the old language, and the bards still call him the "Traveller", as he could cross whole continents to bring death and desolation. As a wave of chaos swept over Osyrhia, the Gods held a council and together joined their forces to banish evil and bring the peace back to their people. The very souls of Cenos and his followers were locked for thousand years. In their wisdom, the Gods gave the seven continental stones their power, so their people could protect their land and keep the evil souls in their elder grave. And if Cenos could gather the wick, the stones would unify all of Osyrhia's inhabitants. Nothing could defeat the guardian stones' power of unity. It was then said that in time, a young human would get the power from the stones and guide all the people in their fight against darkness. So ended the days of wealth. A thousand years have now gone by, and evil slowly awakes. In his uneasy sleep, a young man makes a strange dream...
As the story goes: Following the events accounted in the "Of Wars In Osyrhia" chapter, the armies of the light fought bravely at the battle of Laemnil, but were soon outnumbered by the legions of Cenos. The bearers of the Guardian Stones were slain, and the Stones themselves hidden in the fallen citadel of Laemnil. The armies of Osyrhia were led to their final destinations in Kalia, Duna and Eldergrave, where they would meet what fate Cenos had planed for them...