TIMELESS FAIRYTALE was founded in 2023 by Danish singer Henrik Brockmann (original frontman of ROYAL HUNT and EVIL MASQUERADE) and Italian guitarist/songwriter Luca Sellitto (STAMINA, MARCO GARAU’S MAGIC OPERA). The lineup was soon completed with bassist Carmine Vivo (STAMINA) and Swedish drummer Viktor Enebjörn (FOREVER STILL). The band describes themselves as an “international melodic metal band”, and they most certainly are – though they’re much more than that! Their debut, “A Story To Tell”, released just days ago, is an awe-inspiring metal opus: spirited, theatrical, progressive, and, above all, deeply melodic, blending neoclassical power metal with modern finesse.
In truth, TIMELESS FAIRYTALE has given us a PRICELESS GIFT with this album! It’s not just because it’s a phenomenal work from start to finish, nor solely due to the band’s ability to elevate the neoclassical power metal genre to near-perfection. I say it because in 2024, across the broad spectrum of symphonic metal, no other release compares to the sheer quality of “A Story To Tell”.
There is some SERIOUS songwriting here – harmonious and melodic throughout, dramatic, emotional, and inspiring. This is the kind of musical craftsmanship that’s becoming rarer in the Euro-power idiom, and TIMELESS FAIRYTALE nails it. Without a doubt, this is one of the standout releases of the year, possibly the best of its kind.
“When singer Henrik and I decided to form TIMELESS FAIRYTALE, we settled on creating a very melodic and energetic album, with a lot of strong and deep melodies, neoclassical/symphonic influences, virtuosic playing and slightly melancholic lyrics. ‘A Story to Tell’ leads the listener on an evocative journey through multiple facets of human experiences and feelings, offering a dynamic and diverse sound palette that will surely keep attention high from the first to the last note.” says Luca Sellitto.
And I couldn’t agree more. The tracklist consists of masterfully crafted melodic metal tracks – virtuosic, yet never overindulgent; grandiose, but never pompous. This album exudes majesty without a hint of pretentiousness.
“The album pays homage to some great melodic, power, and neoclassical metal bands from the 80’s and 90’s for sure, but without simply paraphrasing their style.” Sellitto adds.
And he continues, speaking highly of his bandmate, whose vocals are a key factor in the album’s quality: “Henrik acts just like a storyteller. His charming and unique vocal timbre matches perfectly with the underlying ‘arabesque’ musical atmosphere that characterizes most of the tracks. The album also features a few pleasant twists, all while maintaining a cohesive nature.”
The opener, “Entering The Fairytale,” is a fabulous song that sets the tone perfectly—not an intro, but a full-fledged, three-and-a-half-minute track. TIMELESS FAIRYTALE makes their mark right from the start! Next comes “Forever And A Day”, a track that showcases the band’s melodic prowess in all its glory. “New Dawn” follows with a faster, more dynamic approach, while “Master Of Illusion” serves as another example of the band’s harmonious splendor. “Emptiness” takes a darker turn, cranking up the speed – a true high-octane power metal assault that retains all the intricacy of the album’s stellar songwriting.
The title track, “A Story To Tell” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad, immediately followed by the rhythmic, AOR-infused “The Best Part Of Your Life”. “Forsaken Dream” is yet another melodic gem, while “The Last Chance” and “Trust Your Heart” demonstrate the band’s endless creativity and top-tier musicianship. The album closes with “Farewell Fairytale”, a suitably mellow outro that caps off this incredible release.
In sum, “A Story To Tell” is an exhilarating power metal release, showcasing Henrik Brockmann’s commanding vocal performance and Luca Sellitto’s exceptional songwriting and musicianship. If you’re a fan of ROYAL HUNT, MASTERPLAN, STRATOVARIUS, SYMPHONY X, ELEGY, or YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, this album is a must-have for your collection!
“A Story To Tell” was released on September 13th by Visicolum Records, on both CD and LP.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can order both the CD and LP here.
