FALLEN SANCTUARY is a melodic Power Metal band formed in 2021. Based in Austria, the project started when guitarist and vocalist struck a chord with each while on tour. What has grown from that is a killer disc with 11 epic songs that challenge the social conscience of the listeners. "Terranova" was released on June 24, 2022 via AFM Records.

This album does not begin so much as the music launches into your ears. "Terranova" begins with blast beats and a heavy riff. The vocals are clean and stay that way. In this track, Terranova is a place of healing, a sanctuary for the fallen. At the end of the song, there is a fade out of the music and the vocals go to spoken word, talking about how many people die each year from drug abuse and asking if you are there to help. As a Metal lover, twenty-six years clean and sober, I can honestly answer this with a "yes." It's a proud moment.

"Now And Forever" is a heavier song. The guitar riff is darker and deeper for the intro. Once the vocals kick in, the tone goes back to the lighter style FALLEN SANCTUARY typically use. The tempo is slower, but still fast enough to delight the power metal lover. "Broken Dreams" opens with a vocal intro that uses harmonized backing vocals. The riff is airier and more temperate. The bass stands alone for a short bit, giving the rhythm section some love.

For the essential power ballad, we move down to "To the Top." There is a classic ballad structure punctuated with powerful interludes to make this a true power ballad. The vocals are delivered with mostly belted chest voice and some upper range head voice. Acoustic guitars are interspersed to make the transitions a bit smoother.

There is also a true ballad on the record. "I Can't Stay" is a slow, mournful song about love that just cannot remain intact. As badly as you might want it, sometimes things just cannot work. You feel the despair and loss in this track through both the vocal delivery and the musical composition. Good bands make you think about the subject of the lyrics, great bands make you feel them. You feel this one.

"Trail Of Destruction," "No Rebirth," and "Bound to Our Legacy" all take us back up into the power segment of the bands' sound. The vocals are excellent, going from the low end to falsetto with ease and grace. The backing harmonies are on point, hitting all the right notes. The guitars range from solid and chunky to fast and frenetic.

"Wait For Me" shifts back to the gentler side of the band. More acoustic guitar for the intro, huskier vocal delivery, and what sounds like some three-part harmonies in some areas. The chorus is pretty epic, allowing those harmonies to really pack a punch.

FALLEN SANCTUARY is a Power Metal band that can lean towards power/pop or turn up the heat and go heavy power. This diversity is pretty outstanding. Many bands fail to transition from one to the other, but these guys absolutely nail it! They've created an album full of everything from straight bangers to delicate ballads without compromising or sacrificing any of the power elements.