Album Review: Fellowship – The Saberlight Chronicles (Scarlet Records)

UK power metal band Fellowship will release their debut full-length album ‘The Saberlight Chronicles’ on July 15th, 2022. Fellowship tackles the subject of mental health at a time in our lives where we all need a pick-me-up, the album tells a mythical story of self-worth, self-discovery and the quest for courage.

A glorious blend of cinematic, upbeat and feel-good power metal, Fellowship is picking up the baton left by so many bands before them and marching towards a celebrated future. Their debut full-length is 12-tracks of grin-inducing, positive and head-banging metal that stays with you long afterwards.

All because of the upbeat and catchy sound that Fellowship employ and make their own. The powerful opener of Until the Fires Die, highlighted by blistering guitar soloing, and the magical sound of Atlas. Fellowship sounding so united and focused.

It’s that same feeling which makes Glory Days such an epic. The drama, the cinematic feel, the power metal ‘glory’. If this doesn’t get your blood pumping in your veins, nothing will. Whereas the chorus for Oak and Ash is utterly spell-binding and Hearts Upon the Hill is grand beyond measure while also having some serious metal chops. The half way point of the animated Scars and Shrapnel Wounds making it clear that The Saberlight Chronicles is not an album to found lacking.

The second half, kicking off with more of a straight-forward thump of heavy metal, albeit with Fellowship’s penchant for dramatics ever-present. Glint then explodes with power metal splendour, proving to be one of the most powerful sounding tracks on the album. The Saint Beyond the River is a perfect mix of melodrama and catchiness, before the emotive anthem that is Silhouette showcases the beauty of the vocals. Complimented by sweet and heartfelt piano melody. Even when it ‘rocks’ up, the emotion in this track is impossible to ignore.

A big ending isn’t just expected, it is desired and thankfully Fellowship deliver with the final duo of Still Enough and Avalon. The former is great but it’s the latter that really stands out, a return to the majesty and enchanting detail that makes Fellowship such a delight to listen too.

The size and scope of Fellowship’s imagination is so impressive and they really have breathed fresh life into the power metal sound. The Saberlight Chronicles is a triumphant debut album.

Fellowship – The Saberlight Chronicles Full Track Listing:

1. Until The Fires Die
2. Atlas
3. Glory Days
4. Oak And Ash
5. Hearts Upon the Hill
6. Scars And Shrapnel Wounds
7. The Hours of Wintertime
8. Glint
9. The Saint Beyond the River
10. Silhouette
11. Still Enough
12. Avalon

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