War Hearts

War Hearts, released on 18 October 2024, is the fifth album and their first for Napalm Records. The line-up changed too: guitarist Alessia Lanzone joined, making six. The reason was plain — with so many harmonised guitar solos, they wanted to reproduce their songs live without leaning on backing tracks. From the title track into “Steel and Gold” and “To Live to Die,” the drive never slackens. “Night of the Wolf,” “On Silver Wings,” “King of the Sky,” “Ice Dragon” — the run of titles alone conveys this band's world. Ten songs. Giada “Jade” Etro's voice is thicker still, and the songs fly highest where it overlaps with Federico Mondelli's. Richer vocal harmonies and orchestral colour now carry the drama in place of the early rawness. The label may be bigger, but nothing they play has changed. Six years on from their 2018 arrival, they had come close to the centre of modern power metal. Fantasy, winter and battle: the subjects have been consistent from the start, without the slightest hesitation.