SKYLARK „In the heart of the princess, a neverending Story – 1995/2005”

Epic Power Metal
www.scarletrecords.it
www.belzebu.net
CD 1: 78:25 min – 13 Songs
CD 2: 78:10 min – 13 Songs
Good songs : A looot of good songs, but best :
When love and hate collides and When water became ice

In the year 1994 bandleader Eddy Antonini created a band that should be the uniting of his favourite music: classic and power metal = SKYLARK. How it is with many other bands, in SKYLARK there were a few line-up changes. But just one year later, in the year 1995, they could catch a record deal from the Italian label „Underground Symphony“. SKYLARK could play a lot of live concerts. Just to mention a few: Italian Gods of Metal festival and being the support act for ANGRA and many other gigs all over Europe. Eddy Antonini furthermore released a solo album and play in TIME MACHINE.
“In the heart of the princess, a neverending Story – 1995/2005” released for Scarlets Records is a journey through 10 years of SKYLARK, a typical best of double album through all released albums of the band. The choice is due to my opinion very good. But if the female leadvocals of Kiara was a very good choice, hm, I still don´t know. Because sometimes the beautiful blonde girl really can give us good vocals. Especially the ballads are made for her. Especially the high vocallines are not very good for Kiara. She seems to fight with it. It sounds a bit helpless and the voice seems to fall down soon. But I had to guess, if those are female and/or male vocals as I listened to the first songs. A look in the booklet: woman. But SKYLARK even have a male lead singer in the band: Fabio Dozzo, whose voice is much mature and fits better to the fast songs of SKYLARK.

But now back to the album: There are not only remastered hits, but even new versions of old songs, for example: „Little girl“ sung by Kiara and „The princess day“, where Kiara and Fabio sing a duet. Furthermore there are two new songs: „Last battle“ – an instrumental Mozart track and an edit version of a new hit called „Mt. Fuji” that was especially written fro the Japanese fans.
Due to Eddy this best of album is the best proof for what the band has done through the years.

But now we have a look at the facts: 10 years of SKYLARK – and I have never heard of them before…  Ok, that is not toooooo bad, because I have not missed sooooo much. As I said above, I am very parted due to Kiara´s vocals. On the other hand, the male opposite satisfies me better due to his vocals.

The songs are quite good, unite classic with power metal and this is why I am not very surprised that SKYLARK have already a good reputation in the power metal scene. The Italian musicians are very good in playing their instruments and show this on the album, but not only with the speed of the songs. With female and male singer who are better in catching the atmospheres, SKYLARK would have better cards to present their lively power metal to the people (don´t let that hear the fans…).

Recommendable is this double album for all those who have never heard of the band from Italy, like me. That is good to lend an ear and to listen to all of the hits of the band.

But SKYLARK do not only have hurricans over the water, no, even wonderful ballads can be heard, for example „Love and hate collide“ (which is really well done by Kiara), the six musicians offer us.
You can compare the fellows with Angra, but a bit more dramatic.

Well, I just can complain about the partly dry production that is mainly the problem with the vocals, but even the rest sounds a bit thin. That is a pity. But finally I can say: „In the heart of the princess, a neverending Story – 1995/2005“ is a good entrance to get to know SKYLARK.

Tracklist

CD 1 :
1. Fear of the moon – 6 :51
2. Twilight – 5 :49
3. Why did you kill the princess ? 3:48
4. A star in the universe – 1:58
5. Creature of the devil – 4:47
6. Little girl – 2003 version – 10:51
7. Symbol of freedom – 7:18
8. Lady of the sky – 10:53
9. Belzebů – 7:15
10. Dream – 2003 version – 2:53
11. The triumph – 9:05
12. Escape from the dark – 4:43
13. Last battle – 2:43

1. The princess´ day – 2004 version – 3:44
2. Mt. Fuji – 4:03
3. Rufus – 5:45
4. Light part 1 – 9:06
5. Light part 2 intro – 2:55
6. Light part 2 – 9:25
7. Light part 3 – 2:25
8. Journey through the fire – 6:57
9. When love and hate collide – 4:22
10. Skylark – 6:25
11. The heaven church – 12:12
12. When water became ice – 5:09
13. Welcome – 5:33

Line-up

Eddy Antonini – Piano, Keys, backing vocals
Carlos – Drums
Fabio Dozzo – Lead male vocals
Kiara – Lead female vocals
Fabrizio “Pota” Romani – Guitar, backing vocals
Roberto “Brodo” Potenti – Bass