Imperial Vengeance – At The Going Down Of The Sun

Releasedate: 20-07-2009; Label: Candlelight Records
By: Lara Cappelli

The story of Imperial Vengeance has been started in 2007 by C. Edward-Alexander (Vocals, Guitars and Orchestration) and David Bryan (Bass, Lyrics) with the original idea of being a studio band extremely influenced by English history and mythology. With the passing of time and with the great success of their first EP “Death: August & Royal”, the band decided to complete their live lineup and to start writing new songs for their new album, “At The Going Down Of The Sun”.

This album is quite particular, since despite the Death Metal mark, is full of orchestral parts that make it very bleak. Almost all the songs are fast, full of great riffs and drums work. The only thing that haven’t made me like this album too much is the fact that sometimes the songs seem to be very similar, which made them a bit annoying. But I think that if I picked up the songs one by one, my opinion would be different: every song is quite long, with some good alternations of melodies and instruments. The two highlights of the album can be found in the title track, in which we can hear the voice of the 110 years old Harry Patch (last surviving soldier who fought in the trenches during the First World War), and in “Trinovantes”. This one is the most solemn of the album, its melodies remind of a (Metal)Military March, that is followed by a calm guitar riff that peacefully ends the album and makes you understand why the band calls their music “Dark Aristocratic Metal”.

Links:
Imperial Vengeance MySpace