Finnish six-piece Celesty are back with this their third album, 'Mortal Mind Creation'. Epic power metal is the name of their game, in the same ball park as Hammerfall, with widdly guitars and similar vocal choruses. There are touches of other bands too; it reminds me of Nightwish because it has that same epic storytelling, clean production and the same big dramatic musical effect (not surprising with six musicians I guess).

The likeness to Nightwish is enhanced by the keys which at times have that same kind of major chord arrangement sounding full and jubilant, and at others keyboardist Juha Mäenpää gets the 'Rick Wakeman’s', for example have a listen to 'Unreality' or 'Arrival'. Here and there I can hear a bit of Helloween and I find myself wishing to hear a bit more influence from 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys', maybe with a few more metal screams, rather than the blander sound of Hammerfall.

Maybe the problem I have is that the vocals are perhaps a bit too nice - I prefer the odd place where Antti Railio gives it a bit more welly, such as in 'Demon Inside' and 'Among The Dreams'. I like rougher, more heartfelt vocals, and overall 'Mortal Mind Creation' is a bit too neat and 'roses round the door' for my taste.

There are a few acoustic tracks, such as 'Empty Room' and there’s a hidden track in there too, but most of the album is fast-paced - particularly tracks like 'Last Sacrifice'. It’s heavy in places with a bit of chugging but over the top it has a very upbeat vibe and there’s the aforementioned vocal choruses and keys. Particularly one for fans of the Hammerfall school of power metal, and perhaps fans of Nightwish too.

***

Review by Amanda Hyne

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