There are many bands that have had a great impact on my life, and it means even more to me when the band is Italian. Holy Shire was the first concert I saw after covid lockdown, so it’s only fair that I’ll share my opinion on their new record.

Holy Shire returns on the metal scene after more than 5 years with “Invincible”. They have a kind of fantasy metal that keeps on improving; they have managed to deliver an album that is not only their most developed but also their best so far in terms of production, mixing, and mastering.

Holy Shire combines mighty guitars, delicate flutes, and orchestral arrangements to create a channel direct to their realm. It’s notable that, in contrast to “Legendary Shepherds” and “Midgard”, this one has a deeper and more melancholy tone. This change is probably proof of the band’s commitment to creating an impactful experience. Adding depth and complexity is not something that everyone does, so we have to appreciate and acknowledge this!

Songs such as “The Cathedral” and “M9” define the immense potential of Holy Shire, with melancholic melodies blending with powerful orchestration. The beautiful flute frequently breaks up the symphonic passages and complex guitar work, and the same is done with unicorn and dragon vocals merging together. Even though the album has a gloomier tone, each song is composed without leaving anything to chance; it is evident that Holy Shire worked extremely hard to make sure that each component of “Invincible” added a specific facet to the overall effect.

In addition to creating a strong album, Holy Shire has cemented their position as leaders of the fantasy metal scene with “Invincible”. This album offers a promising indication of the band’s direction and a monument to their growth, with its improved production values and more mature topics. We can certainly expect great things from them: so far they have never disappointed! Don’t miss the chance of “Invincible”, because the 51 minutes of the record will be well worth your time.

Benedetta Baldin

Hi! My name is Benedetta, I’m 29 and I live in Northern Italy. My passion has always been music: I started taking guitar lessons when I was 6. Now I work as a sales representative, but in my free time I interview talented people, I spread the word about my favorite band (MoonSun), and I go to concerts or travel around Europe. I am a huge collector of anything Tolkien-related, autographs, merchandise, and CDs. I am quite an original person and don’t mind being the voice outside of the choir (even though I play in the church’s choir!).