When the Aurora Falls...

Released in 2000, 'When the Aurora Falls...' is the second studio album by Italian power metal band Highlord. It represents a peak in the 'Italian Style' of power metal, characterized by a heavy emphasis on neoclassical keyboards and operatic vocal performances. Unlike the more folk-influenced sounds of their contemporaries, Highlord utilized a colder, more symphonic palette on this record. The album is notable for its prominent use of harpsichord textures, a signature of keyboardist Alessandro Muscio, which provides a baroque flair rarely heard in such high-velocity arrangements. Vocalist Vascè delivers a performance typical of the era's peak, with a wide range and a penchant for dramatic, melodic crescendos. The production is typical of early 2000s European metal - clear enough to hear the intricate synth work but retaining a certain analog grit in the guitar tone. It remains a cult favorite for fans of the genre's more melodic and symphonic branches.