DARK ILLUSION — Where The Eagles Fly (review)

DARK ILLUSION — Where The Eagles Fly album cover Album · 2011 · Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Stephen
The first thing that sparks my interest of Dark Illusion is the inclusion of Thomas Vikstrom behind the mic. The talented singer really capable of handling anything, from the doomy Candlemass to the symphonic Therion and even to the melodic Covered Call. The band's history itself was actually started in 1982 but dissolved quickly after three years before the guitarist/mastermind Tomas Hultqvist decided to gather the ashes in 2003 and released their debut, "Beyond The Shadows", in 2005.

"Where The Eagles Fly" marks the second chapter of their career and though it's a fresh release, the composition's style actually goes back to the late 80s - early 90s which is quite similar to the classic Helloween, Stratovarius, or Edguy. "My Heart Cries Out For You" is a nice starter, the verse and chorus combination is flawless, nothing new but definitely a pleasant gift for long time power metal fans, especially when Vikstrom finished the song with a high scream, reminds them of Michael Kiske at his prime age. "Pay The Price" also puts Vikstrom under the spotlight with his soaring vocal, a thrilling track and one of the best they made.

"Running Out of Time" has a great start, the chorus is good, but can be better, that also goes with "Spellbound", the rhythm is tight, the solos are beautiful, but somehow there's something small missing there. "Evil Masquerade" is definitely weighed with a heavy Dio influence, a bold attempt to vary the music. Couple other good tracks are "Dark Journey" and "Only The Strong Will Survive" while "Destiny's Call" and "Epic" are average at best.

Many songs are in good shape, nothing's bad in sight, but somehow the most memorable and outstanding tunes are only a few. To compete in the wilderness, Dark Illusion needs to up the ante in their next release, but with great performances from Vikstrom, Pontus Egberg (ex-Lion's Share), and Tomas Hultqvist, "Where The Eagles Fly" is a delightful treat for power/heavy metal fans.

Bottomline : A safe power metal trip to the past!
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Unearthly Litanies of Despair Death Metal
ENGULFED
Buy this album from MMA partners
It Beckons Us All....... Black Metal
DARKTHRONE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Death Is Not The End Doom Metal
GLOSSA
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Way Forward Sludge Metal
BLACK TUSK
Buy this album from MMA partners
Till Aska Atmospheric Sludge Metal
WALK THROUGH FIRE
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Agremorta - Adrocitas (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 2 days ago
Agremorta - Ploratus Umbra (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 2 days ago
Agremorta - Vertex Membrana (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 2 days ago
HAIL SPIRIT NOIR - The Temple Of Curved Space (Official Track Stream)
HAIL SPIRIT NOIR
adg211288· 2 days ago
In Sulfur - The Gate (OFFICIAL VIDEO) 2022
IN SULFUR
Bosh66· 3 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed