"Tales of Ithiria" CD by Haggard

by Markus Wosgien (14.07.2008) Haste makes waste - especially Haggard take their time between two albums. But once again, it has been worth waiting for this. "Tales of Ithiria" is about a ficticious medieval world and the traditional war between good and evil. A musical fireworks with bombast and magic galore, enhancing the Bavarians’ symphonic (goth) metal with classic elements, renaissance parts and medieval sounds. The centrepiece is the long title track, a touching majestic and mystical thing. But this opus is highlight-studded, anyway - two other examples: "From deep within", reminding you a bit of Therion, and the brisk and sacral "The sleeping child". But Haggard surpass everything with their great cover version of the Latin-American evergreen "Hijo de la luna": a smasher! The masterpiece ends with the fast "The hidden sign", which shows the death metal roots of its creator.