Very much influenced by Hammerfall or Stratovarius, Forgotten
Tales comes straight from Canada, Quebec to be exact.
Forgotten Tales plays true metal and the major particularity
of this band (if this can still be considered as a particularity) comes
from the singer : a woman. Yes somehow, we get used to female voice
for gothic, thrash or power metal, but this is the first true metal
band (in the vein of Hammerfall) who combined "galloping riffs"
with female vocals.
The song-writing is totally true-metal oriented and Sonia Pineault's
vocals are excellent. Musically, their music reminds me others true
metal bands like Nocturnal Rites, Rhapsody or Domine.
Since the music is riff based, early Running Wild also springs
to my mind. On the other hand, I could already bet a fortune Forgotten
Tales will have a tough time to conquer metal fans out there : apart
the female vocals ... which makes them interesting, Forgotten Tales
plays a music we have heard many times before.
I recommend you to check second and third track, Word Of Truth
& Gold Heart, as Sonia is really impressive on these songs.
Always melodic, forged in "true metal steel", perfectly using
the keyboard (Majestic), Forgotten Tales music is quickly
"digested". The production of The Promise is ok and
we are impressed by this band considering this is their first effort.
However, I regret there is not a killing song... or if you prefer a
true-metal hymn.
Quebec can be proud and can proclaim loudly to be part of the true
metal scene thanks to Forgotten Tales. A challenger is born and
we will follow with interest Forgotten Tales next effort. Nice
start.