Album Review: Chronomancy - Shadows in Atlantis
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
‘Shadows in Atlantis’ is perhaps unsurprisingly, epic fantasy power metal brought to you by Greek outfit Chronomancy, who hail from Thessaloniki. This sophomore album tells tales of both fact and fiction from history, all delivered with a bombastic flourish as one would demand.
Formed in 2010, the band’s line up has varied until 2018 when the current band stabilised. Prior to that they had released a demo in 2010 and a self-financed full-length debut called ‘Here and Now’ in 2014. Whilst it may have taken them seven years to get this release ready, it’s a powerful statement which sees 11 tracks spread over 55 minutes. Unlike many power metal bands, Chronomancy incorporate many other influences and don’t always plump for the formulaic approach.
Chronomancy utilise traditional instruments to good effect, with flute recorder, bagpipes and strings giving a pagan feel to the opening track ‘Rebirth’. The use of choral voices is added on the intro to ‘Seven Deadly Kins’, adding the feeling of epic music. The band incorporate ample melody, with decent harmonies on choruses. Then there are the vocals, which on occasion incorporate gruff semi-death metal styles, an approach that isn’t expected and which provides an interesting contrast to the dramatic rich baritone of singer Chris A.D. Paschalidis. He does an excellent job throughout, his soaring and commanding vocals commanding respect and delivering impressively on each track. There’s no straining or struggling here, and it all adds up to an album that power metal fans should really enjoy.
Chronomancy aren’t afraid to slow things down either. ‘The Hunting Song’ blends Manowar with Blind Guardian in a dramatic song, placed with intent in the middle of the album and it’s not surprising to read that the band have toured with the likes of Ross the Boss and Gus G.
One of the key features of the band’s sound is the layered keyboards of Mary Sypoula, whose subtle work adds breadth to the songs without swamping them at any time. Combined with some frantic and good lead guitar work from Yiangos Sourbis and Tyrtaeus Kamarinos (who also adds backing vocals and flute recorder).
The songs are dramatic, galloping along with the clean vocals telling story after story. The music works well, interlinking as the album develops. Stand out songs include ‘Magnum Opus’, the thumping Legions of Mist and the strong title track.
Loud, proud, and full of passion, Chronomancy may not be at the top tier of their genre yet, but this is a promising second and release and one which might yet give them a big push towards the behemoths who occupy that promised land.
