Imago Imperii: Fate Of A King

Look out King Harold, fate is coming your way in the shape of an eleven song concept album setting its stall out in medieval England and taking in battles, politics and intrigue. The proponents of this slam, smash and grab of Euro-power metal meets Teutonic bombast are Italian outfit Imago Imperii, a band who have been forging their path since 2011 and working their way through a handful of demos, EPs and a debut album before unleashing the ambitious Fate Of A King.

And they’re really not doing things by halves here, with a full on attack supplemented by the shred shock of guitarist Luke (Fortini), who is something of a fret-find for this otherwise more straight ahead, song based collective. Initially this band formed around vocalist Gwarner and only he and keyboard player Ivanhoe survive as original members, with the pair and Fortini rounded out by bassist Mick and drummer Iskander. However, if there’s a chink in the Italian’s medieval armour, then it is actually the ‘interesting' vocal exploits of Gwarner himself, with a rasp that often avoids pitch and control employed for most of this album. Reminding a little of the low end exploits of King Diamond, but without the engaging theatrics, what’s most curious about Gwarner’s approach is that when he reins things in and actually sings, he’s a perfectly acceptable focal point, even if his accented style may be a further stumbling block for some.

Luke on the other hand is exemplary, his fret histrionics being pin-point precise and jaw droppingly impressive. However, there can on occasion be the feeling that his talents are a little shoe horned into songs that aren’t always fully structured to highlight his gifts. The likes of “End Of An Era� finds him competing with both the vocals and thundering rhythm section as he tumbles through a barrage of notes and while all of those aspects are handled well, bring them all together and the competition for supremacy leaves everything a little confused and jumbled. In many ways it’s a lost opportunity, for with so many bands operating within this musical sphere, what’s truly required to stand out is some sort of individual trait that marks a point of difference and with Luke’s skills there’s no doubt that Imago Imperii have just that. Not simply allowing him to dominate the entirety of Fate Of A King is a wise, mature move, but when the time comes, it would be good if they just wound the guitarist up tight and let him loose in a setting that gives him the room to truly shine.

Living with this album for a while does unlock some of its charms and Gwarner’s vocals do lose some of their abrasiveness once you adjust. However, as an overall package, what is a promising and in places highly impressive collection all too often comes unstuck through a slight lack of an eye for detail. Although the occasional chorus that truly sticks with you wouldn’t hurt either.

Track Listing
1.The Tapestry
2.Saxon Warriors
3.Kingdom’s United
4.Fate of a King
5.The Landing
6.Battle at Stamford Bridge
7.Conqueror
8.Marching for Hope
9.King’s Nightmare
10.Harold Rex
11.End of an Era

Added: July 15th 2019
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Imago Imperii on facebook
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Language: english

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