Italian symphonic power metal act TEMPERANCE are back not just with a new lineup but also with a new studio offering. Together with professional opera/metal singer Kristin Starkey, who has taken over vocal duties after the departure of Alessia Scolletti earlier this year, and drummer Marco Sacchetto, the five-piece have been busy working on a concept album about a Japanese doll called Daruma and a mystical village called Hermitage. The band’s seventh studio album, “Hermitage – Daruma’s Eyes Pt. 2,” was released on October 20th, 2023, via Napalm Records, and features some high-caliber guests.
That idea of a magical doll that can transport somebody into a magical realm sounds pretty interesting for a concept record, no? Add to that narrative such guest musicians as Arjen Lucassen (AYREON), Fabienne Erni (ELUVEITIE, ILLUMISHADE), Alessandro Conti (TWILIGHT FORCE), and Laura Fella (FAUN) that add different nuances to the music and you have yourself one banger of a record. For the most part “Hermitage – Daruma’s Eyes Pt. 2” is all that boasting swelling orchestrations, choirs and layered vocals, some piano and flute melodies, and Kristin Starkey’s husky and powerful timbre that converge to greatly expand the sound of the band. On this note, I have to give credit to Daniele Mazza (ANCIENT BARDS) because his orchestrations on this record are epic and majestic making TEMPERANCE’s symphonic power metal sound even more bombastic.
On the other hand, if this wasn’t a concept album, the straightforward approach to songs and lack of variety in the soundscape wouldn’t have bothered me so much. But, when a band takes up the challenge to create a concept album my expectations are raised by default, and, as such, I expect different moods, different tempos, different atmospheres, peaks and valleys, and some theatricality to go with the story. This is where “Hermitage – Daruma’s Eyes Pt. 2” feels more like a thematic album following a certain plot and less like a full-blown concept because I feel like the music doesn’t properly convey the narrative. Most of the songs are up-tempo power metal tracks dressed in symphonic pomp even if Fabienne Erni, Laura Fella, and Arjen Lucassen (as the narrator) in particular offer some diversity to the album’s sound design. But then again, all this nit-picking can be boiled down to my own assumptions regarding the overall listening experience because, objectively, this is a very solid effort from TEMPERANCE.
Talking about the songs proper, energetic opener “Daruma” sets up the stage with choirs, big-sounding drums, nice guitar melodies, and dramatic orchestrations that propel the momentum forward into the next track, “Glorious,” where the drums and the guitars seem to be the driving forces with the vocals and orchestrations sitting beautifully atop. Power metal ballad “A Hero Reborn” opens on a great guitar melody and some delicate piano lines with great vocal deliveries all around but ultimately fails to deliver the emotions and goosebumps it aims for. Finally, we enter the world of this magical village with “Welcome to Hermitage,” an enchanting track that boasts flutes and a fantasy-like atmosphere that provide a delightful change of pace and mood, while the vocals of Fabienne Erni and Laura Fella make it even more captivating. Up next, lively “No Return” has some operatic moments, a hooky sing-along chorus, and some Celtic-sounding melodies that will make it a killer live number.
With “In Search of Gold” we reach the intrigue of the story as the protagonist, Viktor, finds himself wandering through Hermitage with the backing orchestrations, strings, and emotional vocals adding to the dramatic mood. Follow-up track “Join Me” convinces with some exquisite vocal harmonies and trade-offs as a driving rhythm picks up momentum again while power metal banger “Trust No One But You” sees Alessandro Conti flexing his vocal cords to maximum effect alongside a great guitar solo. The soaring melodies of dynamic ballad “Darkness Is Just a Drawing” again bring a change of pace while the backing orchestrations keep everything grounded in a melodramatic atmosphere. Speaking of melodrama, “Into the Void” is by far the most theatrical number of the album with its fast-paced tempo, sweeping strings, and excellent back-and-forth between Kristin Starkey, Michele Guaitoli, and Marco Pastorino.
More cheesy melodic power metal comes our way with “Brand New Start,” a track that has soaring vocals and thunderous drums as its driving force juxtaposing nicely with the proper piano ballad “Where We Belong” in terms of both atmosphere and emotion. Uplifting “Full of Memories” is the album’s most beautiful moment with lovely piano melodies complementing the vocals and adding nuance and texture to the atmosphere. The closing track is “Cliff,” which starts off as an orchestral cut before the chorus of “Daruma” somehow makes its way into the music, linking the end to the beginning, while rising melodies and wonderful vocal deliveries bring forth the epic finale of this intriguing story.
All things considered, “Hermitage – Daruma’s Eyes Pt. 2” is a perfectly crafted symphonic power metal record but doesn’t really convince as a concept album. Apart from the brilliantly cast Arjen Lucassen who does a marvelous job as the narrator, the rest of the cast doesn’t really stand out much which makes it difficult to follow the narrative. Also, the compositions are too unvaried to make an impact or pinpoint any of the main story points. That being said, the album can be enjoyed for the sheer energy and bombast it offers, with plenty of free-flowing melodies, hooky choruses, and epic moments to savor and delight in. Fans of both symphonic metal and Euro-power metal à la AVANTASIA will find plenty to love about this album.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
1. Daruma
2. Glorious
3. A Hero Reborn
4. Welcome to Hermitage
5. No Return
6. In Search of Gold
7. Join Me
8. Trust No One but You
9. Darkness Is Just a Drawing
10. Into the Void
11. Brand New Start
12. Where We Belong
13. Full of Memories
14. Cliff
Lineup
Kristin Starkey – Vocals
Michele Guaitoli – Vocals
Marco Pastorino – Guitars & Vocals
Luca Negro – Bass Guitar
Marco Sacchetto – Drums
Label
Napalm Records
