Shadowborne – ‘Heaven’s Falling’

(Scarlet Records)

There are plenty of power metal bands capable of writing huge choruses. There are plenty that can play at lightning speed while throwing enough keyboards into the mix to soundtrack an entire fantasy kingdom. What’s far rarer is finding a band that can balance all of those familiar ingredients with genuine heart, memorable songwriting and a sense of cinematic grandeur that feels earned rather than forced. Thankfully, Shadowborne tick every one of those boxes on Heaven's Falling, delivering an album that proudly wears its influences on its sleeve while forging an identity that's impossible to ignore.

From the opening moments, the band make their intentions crystal clear. This isn't subtle, stripped-back heavy metal. This is unapologetically massive, built on soaring melodies, towering orchestration and choruses designed to be shouted by festival crowds long after the amplifiers have been switched off. Every song feels larger than life, yet there's enough variety across the album to ensure the experience never slips into repetition.

The first thing that really grabs you is just how melodic everything is. Shadowborne clearly understand that power metal lives and dies by its hooks, and Heaven's Falling is overflowing with them. The Oathbreaker and The Warden’s (yes, that really is their names!) guitar work constantly walks the line between muscular riffing and elegant melodic leads, while the keyboards add layers of atmosphere without ever smothering the band beneath unnecessary symphonic excess. Instead, everything works together to create a rich, colourful soundscape that feels both modern and timeless.

The choruses deserve special mention because they really are the album's secret weapon. Every time you think the band have delivered their biggest singalong moment, another arrives to raise the stakes even higher. They're magnificently bombastic, gloriously over-the-top and exactly what this style of music demands. Rather than relying solely on volume, the hooks are built on strong vocal melodies that lodge themselves firmly in your head after a single listen. It's impossible not to imagine fists pumping in the air as thousands of fans sing every word back at the stage.

One of Heaven's Falling's greatest strengths is Eira Shadowborne’s vocal performance. Her lead vocals strike an excellent balance between power and melody, delivering every line with confidence while avoiding the overblown theatrics that can sometimes undermine the genre. There's a commanding presence throughout the album, whether tackling the more reflective moments or soaring effortlessly over the band's biggest, most bombastic arrangements. The range on display is impressive, but it never feels like a showcase for technical ability alone; every note serves the song, adding emotion and conviction to the album's fantasy-driven narratives.

Just as impressive are the vocal harmonies that elevate the record's already colossal choruses into genuine fist-in-the-air moments. Layered gang vocals and rich backing harmonies create an anthemic quality that practically demands audience participation, making every chorus feel tailor-made for festival stages and packed venues. It's this combination of a charismatic lead performance and expertly crafted vocal arrangements that gives Heaven's Falling much of its emotional weight. Even amidst the galloping riffs, symphonic flourishes and cinematic production, it's the vocals that remain the album's beating heart, tying together every grand musical idea with passion, melody and undeniable charisma.

Instrumentally, Shadowborne are firing on all cylinders. The guitars alternate between driving rhythms and dazzling melodic flourishes without descending into technical self-indulgence. The rhythm section provides a rock-solid foundation, allowing the songs to maintain their momentum even during the more atmospheric passages. Meanwhile, the orchestral elements never feel like decoration simply added for effect. Instead, they're woven into the fabric of the songwriting, enhancing the drama rather than distracting from it.

Lyrically, Heaven's Falling draws heavily from the kind of medieval fantasy storytelling that has captivated audiences for decades, with unmistakable nods to the political intrigue, bitter betrayals and epic conflicts that fans of Game of Thrones will immediately recognise. Rather than feeling like simple imitation, these themes are used as a backdrop for stories of loyalty, sacrifice, survival and personal struggle. Dragons, wolves, ravens, kingdoms and walls all feature prominently, creating a vivid fantasy world that complements the album's cinematic scope perfectly. Even listeners unfamiliar with the references will appreciate the strong narrative flavour running throughout the record.

One of the album's greatest strengths is its pacing. Despite running through a generous collection of songs, it never outstays its welcome. There are moments of relentless energy, opportunities to catch your breath and plenty of emotional peaks and valleys that keep the journey engaging from start to finish. Shadowborne understand that dynamics matter just as much as speed, and the record benefits enormously from allowing its biggest moments room to breathe before launching into the next triumphant assault.

Production is another major triumph. Everything sounds enormous without becoming cluttered. The guitars retain plenty of bite, the drums hit with satisfying power and the bass remains present beneath the layers of orchestration. Most importantly, the vocals always sit comfortably at the centre of the mix, ensuring those massive choruses receive the spotlight they deserve. It's polished enough to satisfy modern listeners while still retaining enough organic warmth to avoid sounding sterile.

It's also refreshing to hear a band embrace the sheer joy that power metal can offer without drifting into parody. There are no knowing winks or ironic nods here. Shadowborne fully commit to their vision, and that confidence is infectious. The result is an album that celebrates everything fans love about the genre: heroism, melody, escapism and enough uplifting energy to brighten even the darkest day.

Launching the album proper with purpose, ‘High And Low’ wastes no time establishing Shadowborne's signature blend of driving riffs, soaring melodies and enormous choruses. It's an energetic opener that immediately showcases the band's knack for writing hooks without sacrificing heaviness.

Drawing heavily on medieval fantasy themes, ‘Wolf and the Queen’ combines cinematic orchestration with galloping power metal rhythms. The storytelling is every bit as grand as the music, while the towering chorus is destined to become a fan favourite.

One of the album's most uplifting moments, ‘Custodians’ leans into heroic melodies and infectious vocal harmonies. The interplay between the guitars and keyboards gives the track a rich, layered sound, while the chorus lodges itself firmly in your head after a single listen.

With unmistakable nods to Game of Thrones, ‘Hold The Door’ balances emotion with sheer power. The verses build steadily before exploding into one of the album's biggest singalong refrains, delivering both drama and genuine heart in equal measure.

‘Heaven's Falling (Dragons' Hymn)’, the title track raises the stakes even higher, wrapping epic orchestration around thunderous riffs and a majestic vocal performance. Every element comes together to create a cinematic centrepiece that perfectly captures the album's larger-than-life ambitions.

Offering a more introspective lyrical approach, ‘Strangers To Myself’ explores personal conflict without losing the band's trademark melodic punch. The emotional delivery gives the song added depth, proving Shadowborne can be just as compelling when looking inward as they are telling fantasy tales.

Built around powerful rhythms and an irresistible chorus, ‘The Wall’ perfectly captures the album's blend of heroic atmosphere and arena-sized accessibility. The arrangement constantly builds momentum, creating another standout anthem packed with soaring melodies.

Darker in tone but every bit as melodic, ‘Raven’ injects a welcome sense of mystery into the latter stages of the album. The dynamic shifts keep things engaging, while Eria’s vocal performance effortlessly carries the song's brooding atmosphere before lifting it into another memorable chorus.

Closing the album on a suitably epic note, ‘End Of The World’ delivers everything that makes Heaven's Falling such an enjoyable listen. Monumental melodies, triumphant musicianship and a finale worthy of the fantasy world Shadowborne have created ensure the record finishes exactly as it began, bold, confident and gloriously melodic.

If your record collection already includes Battle Beast and HammerFall, then Heaven's Falling deserves to sit proudly alongside them. It shares Battle Beast's gift for colossal hooks and polished production while capturing HammerFall's heroic spirit and timeless melodic sensibilities. Yet Shadowborne never feel like they're merely copying either band. They've absorbed those influences and channelled them into something that feels fresh, passionate and unmistakably their own.

Heaven's Falling is exactly what modern power metal should aspire to be. It's melodic without becoming lightweight, bombastic without losing its emotional core and packed with enough memorable moments to keep you coming back for repeated listens. Shadowborne have delivered an album that embraces fantasy, celebrates melody and reminds us why power metal continues to inspire such passionate devotion around the world. Whether you're chasing soaring choruses, cinematic storytelling or simply looking for an album that makes everyday life feel a little more epic, Heaven's Falling delivers in spectacular fashion.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Wolf and the Queen’

Review by Woody