trax:
01. Revelations
02. Maiden of Steel
03. The Chosen
04. Ride to Chinon
05. ...for Orleans
06. Up to the Battle!
07. March of the Brave
08. The Rise of a King
09. Siege of Paris
10. Time to Die
11. Inquisition
12. The Trial

label: scarlet

members:
Guilio Di Gregorio vocals
Giovanni Santini guitars
Maurizio Malta guitars
Dario D'Allesandrio bass
Guiseppe Bondi keyboards
Claudio Diprima drums
former members
Dario Grillo vocals

For some years the Italian band has impressed our metal ears with quality symphonic power metal. Much thanks to their symphonic approach and clever musical arrangements. With every album they've released the quality seem to increase; therefore it was interesting to get their brand new album "Jeanne D'Arc" home and when I started to listen to it I pretty quickly understood that it would be an interesting journey.

The album tells about the story about the saint and hero Jeanne D'Arc and her quite sad life story. She opposes the powers in France and try to get justice done, it ends in the worst possible way (at least for a hero like her) but her spirit and deeds lived on to encourage many generations to come.

The music is bombastic and the songs are very good. This is such an album where you can sit and enjoy the whole piece from minute one until the very last (60 of them later). The songs are very catchy and will be nailed in your ears all day long, so don't be surprised if you find yourself suddenly singing to one of them. One other great thing is the atmosphere, which is being built up throughout the album. Songs like "Chosen", "...For Orleans" and "Siege of Paris" are all wonderful in every aspect.

The minor things I have to complain about is that the (new) singer's accent is a bit "too Italian" at times and that some more advanced guitar solos could have been provided.