Skylark - The Princess' Day (2001)

Power metal in 2001 has really taken off as the year has gone on, with a good run of high quality albums towards its end in particular. So, as we come to the end, how better to finish than with my friends Skylark!?!
I've not been kind to this band up until now. Which is fair, since they suck.  But there remains something fascinating about them that keeps me listening with genuine interest, even if I'm not entirely sure why.
This, their fifth album, could well be their best to date, even if it is, in its own way, typical of Skylark's output.  With the thin production, there's really nothing heavy here, while the keyboards are rather wimpy (although I still like them) and the vocals... well, they're certainly better than they used to be, but will never be a strong point of the band.
Keyboardist Eddy Antonini has penned some reasonable songs this time around, with the likes of "I Will Cry Tonight" and "Rufus" quite catchy, as is the guitar riff on the closing "White Warrior."
Ah yes, the White Warrior and his armies, who are battling Satan/Lucifer/Belzebu, and not doing very well, as is proclaimed in the suitably titled "The Tragedy" - "Fire's burning on our planet, Satan's work is done for us/Now his throne is shining, brightening and we are giving up!"
Wimps.
The Princess' Day (that's some hot princess on the cover) pretty much epitomises everything about Skylark. Moderate songs, weak sound and a confusing story of good against evil.
But for those who try to avoid the more bombastic productions of certain other power metal acts (from Italy or elsewhere), this might just fit the bill.
Or maybe not.

***

Well, that's 2001 done and dusted. Time for another break of this blog, to get ready for 2002, with both familiar and new bands continuing to charge ahead in the wonderful world of power metal.