Thursday 2 May 2024

Paths Of The Eternal "Quest For The Sacred Blade" (2022)

 

Following up on Search Of True Ascendance, this next installment amends prior folly as a cohesive set of songs maintains an enchanting, spellbinding atmosphere throughout its stay. Steeped in mystique, a graceful venture through nostalgic realms teeters on spirituality as many melodies find moments of playful warmth intersecting with an Ethereal breeze. At its core, journey and adventure emote strongest, befitting of toned down VGM music, yet the Dungeon aesthetic and instrumental swells of curios composition lead these innocent tunes to grandiose themes.

Opening with A Light From A World Far From Ours opens, swiftly grabs ones attention. Its bold upright baseline takes a commanding presence among a brilliant thud and clatter of percussion. Mixed in sudden reverb, it illuminates the peculiar design. Icy cold drums that offer a familiar yet distinctive crumbling castle timbre. It sets a fine tone for the music to come. Songs explore with the same instrumentation, often venturing into swells of melodies guided by this charmed percussive force.

Only a touch of eeriness presides in this magical place. The Final Trial Of Will takes a strident plunge into the shadows as for one track the albums spirit is flipped to the dark side. Starting out on foreboding plains, the song pivots at the middle into a funeral gloom, turning occult as ritualistic chants elevate its darkness. Its a fantastic counterpoint to root its ancient sorcery in classic Dungeon Synth motifs.

Rating: 7/10