The first thing I want to mention is the array is instruments that are present on this album. You have the "normal" instruments such as guitars, drums, and bass. However, there are some stranger instruments present as well—a hudy gurdy, chanters, a shawm, a rauchpfeife, bag pipes, and many others. It’s nice to hear some stranger instruments instead of just the "normal" ones. Speaking of instruments though, the guitar playing on this album verges on virtuosic! I’ve never heard anyone else do what Ritche can do with an acoustic guitar. As for the "Night" part of the band, Candice does very well. She really has a beautiful voice—she’s quite emotive too. I can’t compare her to anyone, though I will say her voice is very pure.

The songs are, mostly, what you have come to expect from Blackmore’s Night really—pretty ballads ("Village Lanterne", "Windmills"), rubbishy instrumentals ("The Messenger", "Village Dance"), fun rockers ("I Guess It Doesn’t Matter Anymore"), a well done covers ("St. Theresa", "Streets of London", "Street of Dreams"). The best moments from the album are the tracks "25 Years" and "Mond Tanz / Child in Time". The former is a very addictive mid-paced song that certainly starts off the album very well; the latter is a medley of a medieval song and a cover from Ritchie’s old band—the harmony of Candice and Sister of the Moon being the highlight of the album. Unfortunately, this album doesn’t offer many surprises—there is no evolution from past albums. That’s my main complaint really, Blackmore’s Night need to spice things up a bit and surprise their fans.

If you enjoyed Blackmore’s Night’s previous albums, you’ll like this one. Hopefully for the next album, Blackmore’s Night will come up with some surprises—six albums of the same thing would be too much.

7.5 / 10