Knightfall “The Hero Walks Alone” for #MetalChronicles
Band: Knightfall
Single: The Hero Walks Alone (feat. Pete Rawcliffe, Marcos Peñate, Patrick Goble)
Album: Destiny Calling
Label: Independent
Release date: March 22nd, 2024
Country: USA
Format reviewed: High Quality Digital Recording
Knightfall – “The Hero Walks Alone” (single):
An Epic Anthem of Bravery and Symphony.
“Delight yourself with Knightfall’s single, “The Hero Walks Alone”, featuring Pete Rawcliffe and Marcos Peñate on vocals alongside Patrick Goeble on guitars. This epic track from the album *Destiny Calling* reminds us of the courage and honor of the solitary knight. Discover the essence of Symphonic/Melodic Power Metal in this moving anthem that transcends eras and resonates in the heart of every metalhead, ready to answer the call to arms”
Welcome to a new chapter of The Metal Chronicles. Today we will go on an epic journey hand in hand with Knightfall, the musical project of Keith Dombrowski, its founder, composer, orchestrator, pianist, and lyricist. Coming from the United States, his main motivation is creativity and musical excellence.
Keith’s history includes his participation as a keyboardist in the band Anaria, which allowed him to hone his talent, demonstrating his skill as a composer and orchestrator on the band’s 2009 demos with Jessica Mercy and Todd Miller.
After a break of more than a decade, Keith returns to music, giving life to Knightfall in collaboration with guitarist Patrick Goble in 2019. In 2022 Keith began the search for a vocalist for the band, discovering Dee Wolf and inviting her to join the project, releasing the song “Waiting for you”. Already in 2023, Keith threw himself into the creation and release of his first album “Destiny Calling”, which was released on March 22, 2024 and showcased luxury guest vocalists.
Several singles were released from this first album, one of them being “The Hero Walks Alone”, protagonist of today’s journey, which features the collaboration of two prominent singers; the impressive sopranist singer Pete Rawcliffe (Crown Solace, Urania Fantasia) and Marcos Peñate (Evenor). It was produced by Knightfall and Wildthorn Productions, mixed and mastered by Sergio Salvucci. Also, the song has a lyric clip by Keith and Racheal Dombrowski.
“The Hero Walks Alone” is an ode to the Knight and his restless fight to defend his King, his land and his people. It is an anthem that honors the life and exploits of this pivotal character. Without their presence, there would be no Kingdom that defies enemy forces. The Knight represents the shield of each territory. The challenges that this fearless warrior takes on throughout his life are countless, yet he overcomes them due to his resolute commitment to honor, dedication and courage towards his loved ones, always accompanied by his best companion; his sword.
Yet, amid the battlefield’s chaos, after victories and having witnessed the fall of many comrades, in the Knight’s heart there is a doubt; will he be remembered for his deeds and dedication to the Kingdom after his death or will be forgotten?
Will his name live on in the songs of the bards, or will he die in oblivion? However, his fidelity is unwavering. He lives to serve his King, land and people till the last day, the last battle.
Ultimately, the Knight embodies the solitary hero who lives, fights, and dies alone.
This sentimental narrative transcends eras, ages, distances. It is one of those anthems that carry the essence of the power metal: all about honor, battles, swords, bravery. Oh, and a Knight, indeed.
Running for 03:42’, the composition sets in a 4/4 time signature with a medium to brisk tempo. The first notes create an atmosphere of mysterious nostalgia, where the melody and vocal lines enter simultaneously, featuring Pete Rawcliffe’s majestic rendition accompanied by a gorgeous piano, keyboards and slow yet imposing drum pulses which hasten in the following sections.
Keith Dombrowski then appears on stage in a brief harmony with Pete, taking the vocal lead, performing a clean two-voice chorus. Then there is a change in the tonality and emotionality of the song, giving the sensation of a battlefield where Marcos Peñate performs a guttural singing which, alongside the rhythmic base and the keyboard create a deeply dramatic and powerful atmosphere. Pete takes over the vocals once more as the tempo slows slightly, before regaining its original pace. Keith then returns to the lead vocals, repeating the previous melodic and rhythmic pattern. Towards the end of this epic ride the long-awaited vocal duet occurs – yes, that happens with this song. It’s like the meeting of Pete and Keith is something you look forward to – a perfect harmony of voices that has everything; Pete’s ethereal, bright notes partnered with Keith’ deep, chesty tones, creating a sublime sonic experience.
And if we add those rhythmic bases, riffs and keyboards that are somewhere between romantic, epic and dramatic, the outcome is astounding.
In conclusion “The Hero Walks Alone” is a jewel that testifies the remarkable talent of Keith Dombrowski as an artist and enhances the everlasting spirit of the Knight as the icon of Melodic Power Metal. It harmonizes perfectly Pete Rawcliffe’s celestiality with Keith Dombrowski ‘depth and Marcos Peñate’ s touch of evilness, enhancing each other and whose histrionic vocal rendition permits the listener becoming part of the story – you not only listen to it, but also live it!
So I invite you to delve into the whole album – I foresee you will discover many more iconic treasures of the genre. 9.5/10 by Elynna
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