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Terranova

    
       
       
       
     
             
Fallen Sanctuary are a melodic power metal band from Austria formed in 2021, releasing their debut album 'Terranova' in 2022.    
             
Founded by vocalist Georg Neuhauser (Serenity) and guitarist Marco Pastorino (Temperance), Fallen Sanctuary are a blistering new band, playing fast paced, multi-layered melodic power metal. The band - completed by drummer Alfonso Mocerino, and bass player Gabriele Gozzi - are quickly into their stride with the explosive opener, the title song 'Terranova'. And what a belter to introduce yourself to a worldwide audience! 'Terranova' (the song) is fast, very fast - think Helloween, DragonForce, and Cellador...and you may just get some idea of the songs scorching pace and power! Fallen Sanctuary setting their stall out with an opening salvo that won't just turn heads - it'll bish bash bosh 'em into next fucking week! A simply stunning start, the album powers on with the just as head turn-able 'Now And Forever' - featuring the classic sound of European power metal. The band offering an opening double salvo of the most infectious and attractive power metal I've heard all year! 'Now And Forever' so catchy you'll be singing along in no time.    
             
The pedigree of the two founding members is unquestionable - both having incredible success in other bands. So it's no wonder the impact that Fallen Sanctuary have made, the band moving swiftly on with the fast paced and insanely infectious 'Broken Dreams'. All three opening songs have been terrific, highly entertaining, and full of energy. An amazing start by the band - and don't forget that this is a debut release! Without pausing for a breather, Fallen Sanctuary power on with 'Rise Against The World' - the bands melodic mastery rising to the fore. The melodious intent is just incredible, the band delivering an exhilarating aural experience of gigantic proportions. And without a shadow of a doubt, Fallen Sanctuary are on their way to the top of the power metal pile - ya know, the pile of power metal bands that just gets bigger and bigger every year! It's hard to say who's top at the moment, but I reckon bands such as Sabaton, Primal Fear, and Helloween, along with relative newcomers Frozen Crown, Battle Beast, and Metalite are constantly battling it out for the summit! And for the first time, blistering pace is put to one side in favour of the mid paced mid tempo hymn-like anthemic stomp of 'To The Top' - the band losing none of the infectious and incredible melodious intent they began the album with.    
             
And almost immediately, the electrifying pace emphatically returns in the mighty shape of 'Destiny' - a head bang-able and highly sing a long-able slice of all out power metal. The energy the band exude is phenomenal, 'Terranova' (the album) exhibiting a breathless nature. There's just no time to take a breath! Whoops - spoke too soon... A mellow and serene atmosphere descends upon the album as keyboards and acoustic guitar lead the way for 'I Can't Stay', shifting the album into ballad territory. Which is not unusual for a modern day power metal album. Hitting the airways hard, 'Trail Of Destruction' pounds the ground it walks on with a heavy foot stomp not heard previously - the band resuming the power metal path with total aplomb, 'Trail Of Destruction' one of those head nodders rather bangers. Fallen Sanctuary showing their flexibility to deliver from every corner of the power metal genre.    
             
Blistering pace lights up the album once more, 'No Rebirth' accelerating at speed right from the off - with the classic sound of European power metal filling the air. Ya know, being the old metaller I am, I remember the feelings I had when Helloween re-wrote the power metal blue print (and for those not old enough to remember - I'm referring to the bands 'Keeper' albums of the late eighties) - and listening to Fallen Sanctuary now, those same kind o' feelings are raising the hairs on my forearms! 'Bound To Our Legacy' is full of scorching pace along with mid tempo thunder, continually changing gear showcasing the bands adaptability, and perhaps progressive nature too. Fallen Sanctuary have been one hundred percent unafraid to go off track with regards to varying their approach to power metal, the band ending their debut offering with a second visit to ballad territory by way of 'Wait For Me'. With more passion and emotion than the previous ballad, 'Wait For Me' is top level mellow serenity, raising lighters high in the air, and moving bodies from side to side.    
             
Overall, a red hot scorcher of an album 'Terranova' is an infectious and exhilarating power metal romp.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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