X

X is a work on which Royal Hunt, layering dramatic, gorgeous keyboards, hard guitar and shaded melody, powerfully shows its symphonic, progressive metal strengths. It is the band’s memorable tenth studio album, and the title “X” means the Roman numeral ten. While using complex, elaborate decoration in places, its songs always firmly hold a strong, clear song outline. From the development from the opener “Episode X (Arrival)” to “End of the Line” and the drama of “King for a Day” to the powerful “Army of Slaves,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “Shadowman” and “The Well” convey the work’s fullness. A record you want to carefully savor — the splendid intersection of the tense scenes André Andersen’s keyboards create and the powerful drive heavy guitar riffs support. A truly Royal Hunt-like record uniting symphonic splendor and heavy metal’s sure weight at a high level. This work became the last studio work Mark Boals belonged. After this, the flagship D.C. Cooper would dramatically return to the band. An engaging, fulfilling work showing the mature band’s sure ability.