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Italy's Ancient Bards have returned to the Black Crystal Sword saga they began on their debut, The Alliance of the Kings, back in 2010 for their fourth album, Origine – The Black Crystal Sword Saga Part 2. This band has always played high-quality symphonic power metal and Origine... finds them continuing that trend. Like any symphonic band worth their salt, Ancient Bards know their way around a double-kick-fueled riff fest and sweeping keyboard melody, but they've taken their songwriting game up a notch on the slower songs. "Aureum Legacy" combines a mid-tempo verse with a quicker, anthemic chorus and the ballad "Light" features a lovely vocal performance that brushes up against a Disney-level of catchiness without the accompanying sappiness. The theme is overwrought but, honestly, what good Italian power metal isn't? There are plenty of big, majestic riffs, layered choirs and even some harsh singing for additional texture leading up to the epic finish, the 14+ minute closer "The Great Divide". Overall, Origine... is a near-flawlessly executed symphonic metal album that might not be as good as Ancient Bards' debut, but it is damn close. Highly recommended to symphonic metal fans.