
The Force is with us!
-- Cristiano Filippini's Flames Of Heaven --
28/12/2020
Stijn Daneels

Album genres:
■ | Symphonic power metal |
■ | Progressive Metal |
Album artists:
■ | Cristiano Filippini | Guitars, keyboards, orchestrations |
■ | Michele Vioni | Guitars |
■ | Marco Pastorino | Vocals |
■ | Giorgio Terenziani | Bass |
■ | Paolo Caridi | Drums |
Review
written by Stijn “Metal Shredder” Daneels.
[METAL SHREDDER REPORTING]
Cristiano
Filippini’s Flames of Heaven first came into my sights when our longtime
friends at Hard Life Promotion had sent me a download link to review “The Force
Within” album. Since I’ve always been a big fan of epic power metal I obviously
couldn’t let this chance slip by.
[SHREDDING BASICS]
“The Force
Within” is the debut album by Cristiano Filippini’s music project Flames of
Heaven, founded by the Italian composer and multi-instrumentalist of the same
name. Before starting this metal band, Cristiano achieved success as a highly acclaimed
symphonic orchestrator. Cristiano Filippini’s Flames of Heaven’s album “The
Force Within” is released through German record label Limb Music and sent to us
by Hard Life Promotion.
“The Force
Within” begins with its title track, a short and sweet opening that features metallic
guitars and synthesizers that would fit perfectly as an opening tune for an
1980s action TV show. The album then begins for real with “We Fight For
Eternity,” an epic barrage of power metal guitars and drums, symphonic
keyboards, operatic vocals as well as prog metal guitar solos. Next up is “Far Away,”
which is a slightly slower and more guitar focused track with intimate singing
and catchy beats.
“Against The
Hellfire” puts greater emphasis on keyboards and that gives this particular
song a very futuristic feel which would be very suitable for a campy sci-fi movie.
“Always With You” is the typical prog metal love ballad, featuring acoustic opening
and ending piano with slow, thunderous riffs in the middle part. “Dying For
Love” is a similar love-themed tune, but this time with heavier beats.
“Finding
Yourself” is another peaceful song, similar to the earlier “Always With You.” Then
comes “Lightning In The Night,” one of heaviest songs on the album with frantic
drums, soaring vocals and roaring guitars. Things get acoustic again with “Missing
You” before heading back to the orchestral path with the energetic follow-up “Moonlight
Phantom.” The album’s penultimate track “The Angel And The Faith” showcases the
band’s symphonic side while the band’s usual traits go at it again for one last,
great time. And finally things cool down with the instrumental and catchy orchestral
piece “Ab Angelis Defensa."
If there’s
one thing Cristiano Filippini’s Flames Of Heaven excels at, is in making their
music feel larger-than-life without using an excessive number of instruments.
Just guitars, drums, vocals and keyboards. The music breathes genuine passion
and energy that remains very engaging as the album goes through its hour long
runtime.

[SHREDDING VISION]
The artwork
of “The Force Within” features a futuristic city skyline (complete with flying cars)
and three sword-wielding angelic beings (who remind me of the Valar from the
Lord Of The Rings) watching over the sprawling metropolis. The entire scenery
is very colorful and inspiring that looks like a visual homage to the fantasies
of power metal with the sci-fi settings of prog metal.
[SHARPEST SHREDS & BLUNTEST BLADES]
Tracks like
“We Fight For Eternity,” “Against The Hellfire,” “Lightning In The Night” and “The
Angel And The Faith” are my favorites for their highly orchestral power metal
feel. Although I didn’t notice any particular weak tracks on this release, I
would’ve preferred the songs to be a bit shorter. Pretty much all songs on “The
Force Within” are over 5 minutes’ in length and that makes listening to this
album quite a long but excellent ride. Of course, having a taste for shorter
songs doesn’t count as genuine criticism, so therefore, “The Force Within” gets
a well-deserved…
[SHREDDER’S SCORECARD]
9 Valar out
of 10. Cristiano Filippini’s Flames Of Heaven’s debut album features a majestic
showcase of power, symphonic and progressive metal that I can warmly recommend
to everyone who’s just as passionate about these subgenres as the band who
plays them here! Enjoy “We Fight For Eternity.”