Band:	Nhorizon
Album:	Skydancers
Style:	Symphonic power metal
Release date:	November 16, 2009
A review by:	Bas

01. Into the Night [Instrumental]
02. The SkyDancer
03. The Choice
04. The Secret
05. Heaven's War [Instrumental]
06. Surfing Time
07. Anthem Of.... [Instrumental]
08. Heroes
09. Remember You
10. Ancient Way

Skydancers is the first release of an Italian band with a strange name that wants to be like Stratovarius just a bit too much.

One of the defining points of the band's sound is the vocalist Lorenzo Ticci, who sings in a clear but heavily accented way. While more than capable of doing the rougher parts, he more often than not keeps to the higher vocal-regions. While he single-handedly ruins the ballad 'The Secret', he really shines on the other ballad, 'Remember You'. There's definitely a lot of room for improvement here though.

Another defining point is the keyboard, which is obviously the most important instrument for this record. Keyboarder Fabrizio Muratori has some skill, that's for sure. Skill alone doesn't guarantee quality though. There are moments when the keys are really good, 'Surfing Time' is probably the best example, but there are at least equally as much moments where they're more annoying than anything else.

Nhorizon plays a mix of power metal with symphonic elements, progressive elements and even rock; still the result is rather bland and genuinely unimpressive. The majority of the album simply sounds too weak in my opinion. Probably the main reason is that the guitar is either playing a solo or is hidden in the background. Solid riffwork however is hard to find. Again I'll have to say there's a lot of room for improvement. As a whole the band definitely has the skills to churn out a really solid power metal album, but Skydancers is forgettable from start to finish, despite the few good moments and more than decent instrumentals.

Here's a small riddle for you. What's a "power metal" band that lacks "power" and doesn't always feel very "metal" either?

Favourite Tracks: Remember You, Ancient Way