(Power Metal) [CD] Twilightning - Delirium Veil (Japanese Edition) - 2003, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

I don't even know where to begin with this review. This album is just so mindblowingly awesome that it needs no introduction. All I can say is that this is power metal at it's absolute best. Twilightning's debut, Delirium Veil, is so goddamn great that it even puts Sonata Arctica to shame, and they're an awesome band as well.

Put aside the fact that this is indeed a "flower metal" band complete with keyboards that sound cheesy to some. However, for those who are more open to the lighter side of power metal, this album has pretty much everything to offer. It has talented band members, plenty of speed, like Sonata Arctica, lots of emotion, a singer who has a powerful soaring voice that at times can compete with Bruce Dickenson's (not saying that he's better than Bruce though), 80s sounding keyboards that have a nostalgic vibe to them. For fans such as myself, you just can't help but love those keys, though other fans would probably detest them for sounding too "cheesy". I really cannot find anything wrong with this album. It doesn't suffer from pointless filler unlike most other power metal albums, nor does it suffer from stupid lyrics and songwriting unlike bands like Blind Guardian (seriously, if I wanted to hear songs about The Lord of the Rings, I'd watch the damn movie myself), and it's consistent all the way through.

It's hard to pick out a stand out track here, because evey song is so damn good. However, there are a few stand out tracks, these would be At the Forge, the title track, Under Somber Skies, and The Jester Realm. The first two metnitoned are upbeat fats rockers with happy sounding choruses and nice tasteful use of the keyboards which adds to the quality of the songs. Under Somber Skies is a great ballad, which is something similar to what Sonata Arctica would do, as it's sad and sappy, yet that's what a ballad is suppose to do. It's suppose to mess with your emotions, rather that would be helping you feel happier, or more sad, or whatever. However, none of these songs compare to the absolute brilliance of Jester Realm. This would be my favorite song on the album, as it displays what this whole album is about. It's fast yet very emotional, and that keyboard intro is simply amazing. I don't care what anyone says. More tasteful use of the keys again makes this song.

Once again, there is nothing worng with this album, and if you're a fan of european power metal with a bit of an 80s tinge to them along with a hell of a keyboardist, then look no futher. Twilightning is the band to look for, and Delirium Veil is a must have album. It's just too bad that this band does not get the credit they deserve, as they are miles above other power metal bands in quality. Hell, I feel ashamed of myself for downloading this album, as it's defiently worth buying at full price. While some may argue with me here, this in my opinon is the greatest power metal album ever. It's even better than Helloween's Keeper of the Seven Keys 1. This band may sound cheesy to some, but for those who like keyboards in their metal will love this album. If you're a fan of power metal, get this album now!

Review written by IWP for www.metal-archives.com

Heikki Pöyhiä - Vocals
Jussi Kainulainen - Bass
Mikko Naukkarinen - Keyboards
Tommi Sartanen - Guitars
Ville Wallenius - Guitars
Juha Leskinen - Drums