StaNB reviews (multi-linguages)

http://www.metal.de/cdreviews.php4?was=review&id=12396 (German)

http://extreemmetaal.nl/score-to-a-new-beginning-fairyland/ (Deutsch)

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/soundoff.php?albumid=36979 (english)

http://www.powerofmetal.dk/reviews09/fairyland_review.htm (English)

http://www.concreteweb.be/reviews/reviews_2009/reviews_20_04_2009/CD/fairyland/cdfairyland.html (English)

http://www.metal-aschaffenburg.de/?p=1092#more-1092 (German)

http://www.metalnews.de/?metalid=05&action=show&cdid=3594 (German)

http://www.nuclearblast.de/showShopProductDetail.php?artikelnummer=159954&kat=Music+Genre&subkat=36 (German)

I'm not sure this one counts, since it is directly from a retailer website, but still...

http://allover-ffm-rock.de/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4328&Itemid=91 (German)

http://spellboundwebzine.free.fr/scoretoanewbeginning.html (French)

That's a repost of a review that was on a forum. I'm just putting it here in case the forum closes..

From http://metal4life.co.uk (review page not linkable)

FAIRYLAND
A Score to a New Beginning
Napalm 2009

(Posted Image)

I still remember the first time I heard Rhapsody's second CD around 1998. No one within the power metal field had heard anything like it. Over the top symphonic power metal histrionics with overblown production values, massive choirs, cheesy lyrics about fighting dragons. I think what took me more by surprise was the immense, all encompassing sound created and the totally addictive choral work. In the ensuing decade or so symphonic fantasy power metal has grown and grown with many imitators and innovators and Fairyland are one such exponent of the style who have grown and prospered.

These French heroes have reached album number three and it's safe to say this is their best effort yet. Their previous albums were also very good but the latest album is really something special. The album is led by Keyboard wiz Philippe Giordana whose skill propels the music with such aplomb and total 'wind in the hair' abandon that I am reminded of the magical Lost Horizon. Not so much in the musical aspect but more in the sense of freedom and extravagant musical power and showmanship. Fairyland despite the very dodgy name are not fairies by any stretch. These guys have great power and bombast with a totally pristine production which affords the instruments great room to shine which they do in great abundance.

The band used to have female vocals sung by Elisa Martin who was also previously in Dark Moor and then another chap but both of those have left the fold now and have been replaced by a guy who to be honest is far better singer than both in your reviewer's humble opinion. It's not that I didn't like Elisa or the other guy but the new chap has a wonderfully charismatic voice which soars amongst the clouds without sounding as girly Mr. Leone of Rhapsody fame can sometimes sound like. His solo choral work is superb and truly anthemic. Sometimes he sings alone and then other times he's joined by what sounds like a huge choir which is absolutely perfect to be honest.

This new album as the title suggests is a full on epic fantasy concept disk that Luca Turilli himself would give his right arm to pen. The songs on this new disk flow so well with over-dramatic orchestration and typically Rhapsody-ish sweeping riffs that swoon and dive like a marauding eagle. Really wonderful and melodic soundscapes are created throughout that makes this album a melodic power metal fan's wet dream. It's really quite hard for me to pick certain tracks out as the album flows seamlessly from one track to the next with the band weaving pure magic throughout. At times they caress your ears with a haunting melancholic section which is then followed by the typically grandiose speed metal parts all wrapped up in a wonderfully clean production. I should mention a couple of tracks though and the two that immediately spring to mind are 'Assault on the shore' which is a supremely catchy song with a huge chorus. Godsent is another mightily addictive tune with awesome vocals but to be fair I love every second of this record.

I think this is the best full on symphonic power metal band on Napalm Records' roster by a mile and there are some great bands on that label no doubt. In the end there is something addictive about Fairyland that is hard to define. Many people who hate power metal for it's cheesiness and overall lack of weight will no doubt not ridicule this band as another one of those legions of frilly shirt wearing power metal posers that Europe is infested with. I can't argue with these people but it's their loss though power metal will never find favour with everyone in the metal community alas. In the end Fairyland have delivered a truly magnificent symphonic power metal album and one that is hard to find fault with in any respect. A highly recommended European Power Metal album from our French cousins. Merci!

© Pirage Forsi
Rating ****1/2 (4.5/5.0)

http://metalfan.nl/reviews.php?id=5494 (Deutsch)

http://www.babylonmagazine.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5580&Itemid=0 (Italian)

http://www.zwaremetalen.com/recensie/12913/Fairyland-Score-to-a-New-Beginning.html (Deutsch)

http://mtibelgium.00freehost.com/FairylandCDreviewScoreonanewbeginning.html (English)

http://www.metalasylum.net/reviews/2009/mr0944.html (English)

http://www.demonic-nights.at/reviews/metal/fairyland (German)

http://www.hvymetal.com/album/14645.html (Japanese)

I think I am going to launch a new game called "find the logic". It is the first time I am confronted with negative reviews that are clueless and devoided of logic:

http://www.metal-revolution.com/plugins/content/content.php?content.2171 (English)

If someone understands the point of this one, let me know...

And here I will go on my litlle diatribe: What good is a review that doesn't adress the album itself, but places it instead at a par with other styles? I never intend to concure with bands such as Gojira or System of a Down, so why talk about the "bigger perspective"?

I like a good negative review, but so far I haven't found any. If anyone gets his/her hand on one, please feel free to add it here...

EDIT: The last Radiohead sounds very good, but it's a load of crap compared to Cannibal Corpse!

http://www.metalsymphonique.com/chonique_scoretoanewbeginning.php (French)

This one is part of the Fairyland Week on metalsymphonique.com

http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=13844&lang=en (English)

There is also an interview on the same website.

http://maynine.over-blog.com/article-30864898.html (French)

That one is really cute

http://www.lagrosseradio.com/blogs/blog_post.php?id=1936 (French)

Metal archives only has one review right now, all of these good reviews (and the songs I've heard) only fuel my desire to get the album.

http://www.metal-archives.com/review.php?id=227809 (English)

Short and angry:
http://www.imhotep.no/?did=9089479&aid=9077421 (English)

http://www.keysandchords.com/page6/page21/files/049c55b415e38d9fb23e697808bfd7e3-130.html (Deutsch)