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Review: Dark Moor - Ancestral Romance
Dark Moor
www.dark-moor.com
Ancestral Romance

Label: Scarlet Records
Year released: 2010
Duration: 50:33
Tracks: 10
Genre: Power Metal

Rating:
4.25/5


Review online: November 30, 2010
Reviewed by: Christopher Foley
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 4.19/5 (83.87%) (31 Votes)
Review

Ah, Dark Moor. I've enjoyed the vast majority of this band's discography over the years, even their post-Elisa Martin albums which are a sore spot for some. In keeping with the theme of quality power metal albums I've covered lately, Dark Moor don't disappoint in the slightest with Ancestral Romance.

I wasn't expecting this album to be that enjoyable; it seems Dark Moor just don't have it in them to slump. They keep going from strength to strength with each release and I think that Ancestral Romance is their finest work since Alfred Romero jumped on board. His vocals on this album are his finest to date, reminiscent of Roy Khan in places as well as some near-Tommy Karevik delivery in tracks such as "Gadir" or "Mio Cid".

The album isn't without its faults, fortunately they are only minor problems and don't really distract from the enjoyment. The main offender is the ridiculously fruity "Let's Rock". The track is utter cheese, yet I will admit it has become somewhat of a guilty pleasure largely due to the kick ass riff introduced half way through or so. That aside, the only other slight hitch is the quality put forth in the first four tracks begins to diminish through the later half of the album. However tracks such as "Cancion Del Pirata" and "Ah! Wretched Me" keep the attention through the later half, the latter being one of the finest tracks on the album.

Overall I think this is one of the finer jewels in the Dark Moor treasury. Tracks such as "Alaric De Marnac", "Mio Cid" and "Ah! Wretched Me" rank among some of the finest the band have done, reminiscent of their older material in places yet still pushing forward. Ancestral Romance is a highly enjoyable record and is a worthy addition to any power metal fan's collection, particularly those of you with a penchant for the symphonic.

More about Dark Moor...
Review: Ars Musica (reviewed by Christopher Foley)
Review: Autumnal (reviewed by Larry Griffin)
Review: Autumnal (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Beyond the Sea (reviewed by Ivan the Bludgeon)
Review: Dark Moor (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Project X (reviewed by Bruce Dragonchaser)
Review: Tarot (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: The Gates of Oblivion (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: The Hall of the Olden Dreams (reviewed by Eddiethe'Ead)
Interview with Enrik Garcia on May 2, 2007 (Interviewed by Bruce Dragonchaser)
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