Knightsune's eponymous self-titled album is another one that should have been released last year, but thanks to the pandemic it saw the light of day February 2021. Founded in Zaragoza in 2017 it took a year or two to get to the lineup that recorded this debut collection.  Equal parts traditional Heavy Metal, Power Metal and touches of more modern Melo Death and touches of Symphonic Metal (particularly on "Burn The Witch", that must be one of the most used song titles in Metal!).

This is not to say their sound is disjointed or all over the place, no they pull all their styles and influences into a coherent sound.  Part of what does this is the very distinctive vocals of Víctor "Kendoru" Alcalá, how can I put this without sounding xenophobic, his voice retains a certain sound that set him apart from a native English or North American singers, which give his vocals an edge.  But the band are equal to the task, with a decent backline and a fine pair of guitarists, chuck in the female guest vocalists it makes for an interesting, whilst not complete package.

All wrapped up in an album cover portraying, I bet you cannot guess, a Knight proudly taking the knee, with a phantasmic wolf thing behind him.  Coupled with some fairly clichéd titles "Of Fire And Faith", "Burn The Witch" and "Distant Shores" for examples, the imagery is a little old school to say the least.

But when it works, it works well.  Opening track "Fill The Void" sets things going with some great drumming and Power Metal energy and bravado.  "Of Fire And Faith" has a great groove and "The Hollow Act" rocks hard.  "Burn The Witch" is a favorite of mine. Laura's guest vocals give the song an added dimension, and the symphonic stylings really work for them, and suit Victor's vocals.

There are some songs that don't work so well for me.  "The Curse Of London" is a little forgetful, and "Me" doesn't work for me.  And unfortunately, last track "Distant Shores" is over-long and a touch over-blown for my tastes, although had some good bits too, just after an honest, but hearty meal, the desert was just too much.  But the ticks in the plus column are more than in the minus one, so all in all a good album, and a but more honing live will make album #2 better, I've no doubt.