Imperial Age - 2022 - Songs of Power

(70:59; Atlantean Records)






















Track list:
1. The Legacy of Atlantis 6:19
2. Anthem of Valour 4:57
3. The Monastery 4:16
4. Legends of the Free 4:11
5. The Way Is the Aim 4:00
6. The Awakening 5:25
7. And I Shall Find My Home 5:01
8. Aryavarta 7:21
9. Life Eternal 4:54
10. Turn the Sun Off! 14:15
11. Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend 3:36
12. To Mega Therion 6:44

Line-up:
Not stated


UK based band Imperial Age have quite an extensive back catalogue, even if they only have four studio albums to their name as of 2023. In between their studio albums they have also released a number of live albums, as well as quite a few non-album singles. In addition to those productions, they have also been marketing this compilation album, "Songs of Power", which was released on their label Atlantean Records in 2022. For my sake I saw this compilation marketed on Facebook, with a free album if you pay the shipping option, which the band used in a smart manner in which to instigate the curious to buy other albums from their back catalogue at a decent cost. Which is the reason for this being the fourth album review I have done on this band within the last couple of weeks.

This compilation feature material from the band's first three studio albums, with a few additional non-album singles added in, and documents the sound and development of the band quite nicely I'd say, albeit not in a chronological order. This gives the album much more of an ebb and flow feel, as the earlier songs have a stronger foundation in a power metal and symphonic metal mix whereas the songs from the following album also contains a few additional folk elements as well as some side steps into a more traditional heavy metal oriented variety of symphonic metal. It is an interesting manner in which to explore the output of the band, and certainly adds a variation element to the album experience. Personally I'm pleased to see that the band have chosen to include 'The Awakening' as one of the songs here too, as it is among the most impressive of their compositions as far as my own taste in music is concerned.

But the big song on this compilation for me is one of the two cover songs they have included here, namely 'To Mega Therion'. Imperial Age have refined this song into becoming something of an elegant powerhouse of a power metal and symphonic metal blend. A tight, vibrant and powerful affair, slightly adjusted in a manner that retains the power and the majesty of the original but adds a veneer of refinement and elegance to the proceedings in this version of the song that makes it just a little bit more appealing, at least in my opinion.

The mix and production is of high quality throughout, also as far as the non-album tracks go, and that part of the experience is a strength of this band in general. While the songs may not always be as memorable in their core construction, the high quality mix and production ensure that all the strengths of the songs are emphasized in a proper manner and due to that elevating the listener experience of each and every song.

If Imperial Age is a band that you are curious about, this compilation will give you a good impression about what they are all about, and while they have evolved a little bit further on their most recent studio production, "Songs of Power" is a just about equally good place to start if you want to get more familiar with this band. If a symphonic metal band with a power metal foundation is within your field of interest, I believe you will find this album to be quite the interesting one to explore.

Olav M. Björnsen, September 2023

Links:
https://imperial-age.com/
https://atlantean-records.com/

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