TIMELESS MIRACLE — Into The Enchanted Chamber (review)

TIMELESS MIRACLE — Into The Enchanted Chamber album cover

Album · 2005 · Power Metal

4.5/5 · 2016-07-17
adg211288

MMA Reviewer's Challenge: July 2016

There are bands out there who seem to make just one album and then fade into oblivion. For a long time now Timeless Miracle, a power metal act from Sweden, has seemed to be one such act, Into the Enchanted Chamber (2005) being their sole studio album, released over a decade ago. From what I've seen online recently that may be about to finally change in the near future but even if this was destined to be these guys only album together, at least they really made their mark with it.

While sticking to the tried and tested melodic power metal brand at heart, Timeless Miracle flavour their music in a number of different ways to keep it interesting including some progressively inclined keyboard bits as well as a hefty plastering of symphonic backing and a dash folk elements here and there, allowing Into the Enchanted Chamber to at different times offer up a selection of different power metal sounds. That is I think somewhat necessary in a genre where more straight-up power metal acts are a dime a dozen if you're wanting to produce something that more easily stands out, but it isn't what makes a great album in itself.

No, what makes Into the Enchanted Chamber the great album it is, not unlike any well made power metal album really, is the energy produced by the band. When you listen to as many power metal albums as I have you start to be able to tell the difference from a band who handles the fast riffs and rhythms convincingly from those who just seem to be going through the motions to get the job done. Into the Enchanted Chamber is not a generic album so my words here shouldn't be taken out of context, but it is this sort of thing that can make all the difference in a power metal album even if it doesn't bring anything new to the table. And when you get this plus a power metal album that isn't generic, that's the point when you're dealing with something that can be counted among the upper echelons of the genre.

But is Into the Enchanted Chamber one of those rare albums that will also appeal to those to don't like the power metal genre all that much? No, I highly doubt it, as Timeless Miracle really go full force on the catchy and melodic way of writing their songs. It is what detractors of the genre will deem as cheesy which is also exactly what fans of the genre will love about it, so ultimately I'll be rating the album with the latter group (which includes myself) in mind. It has admittedly taken me a few spins to really appreciate everything it offers, but its been very rewarding to have a bit of patience with it. I'd say that the best tracks for me are the title track, and Return of the Werewolf. The speed of the latter really hits the spot for me. The album has a couple of interlude pieces in A Minor Intermezzo and The Dark Side Forest that don't really add much, despite the latter having vocals, while Memories is the obligatory ballad. It's better than most of its kind, but not as good as the best.

And so in conclusion I think that Into the Enchanted Chamber is an excellent power metal album. My personal tastes in the genre usually lie more with bands with a bit of bite than what Timeless Miracle play, like the German scene, but its difficult not to be won over by them on this album. Had Timeless Miracle managed to follow this up and keep at it I imagine they'd have honed the ideas heard here into something even better by now. As the long awaited follow-up to Into the Enchanted Chamber looks to be a very real thing that will be happening sometime in the near future, and I'm definitely interested to hear their comeback.

more than 2 years ago
Permalink
Report #322909

Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer

Please login to post a shout

666sharon666 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I haven't been commenting on these so as not to spoil my own review, so all I'll say for now is that Return of the Werewolf was one of my favourites too.

DippoMagoo wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Great review. And yeah the album is very high energy, even on some of the slower parts. You also touched a bit on something I went into more detail on, that it feels more flavorful and unique compared to many power metal albums. It's also nice to see someone else on this site who loves "Return of the Werewolf". It sure is over the top, but that's kinda the point.

Nightfly wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Nice to see them getting some love as for what it is, it's a good example of PM. Great review.

adg211288 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Thanks Khaliq. I think the most positive review will be on day 3 though (right Travis? ;) )

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Great review, I definitely agree about many of the songs being fueled with high energy. Interesting how the first day's reviews were both negative and the second both positive.