Reviewed by David Pearce

Artist – Royal Hunt
Album – In The Heart Of The City (Best Of 1992-1999)
Label – Marquee Avalon, Frontiers Records
Year – May 14th 2012
Booking Agent – Majestic Entertainment, Inc.

1. Running Wild
2. Kingdom Dark
3. On The Run
4. Clown In The Mirror
5. Making A Mess
6. Time
7. Tearing Down The World
8. Silent Screams
9. Fear
10. Sea Of Time

Royal Hunt is a progressive metal band based in Denmark, founded in 1989 by keyboardist Andre Andersen. The band is known for creating melodic music with a progressive and symphonic flair. They made a huge success during mid-90s with vocalist D.C. Cooper on their classic albums Moving Target and Paradox mainly in Japan and Europe. They have experienced several lineup changes throughout their history, in 2007 they acquired singer Mark Boals, who replaced former vocalist John West. In 2011 after numerous requests from fans and promoters worldwide they decided to reunite with their former vocalist D. C. Cooper for a special tour, covering the first four albums of the band. They have since recorded a new album entitled Show Me How to Live featuring the returning D.C. Cooper as their permanent vocalist moving forward. They have sold more than 1 million albums worldwide.

This Best of Album covers the first five albums from Land Of Broken Hearts to Fear that the band released from 1992 – 1999

The album starts with Running Wild starts with radio or tv excerpts then the keyboards come then the vocals this song has a really good beat very clean vocals, symphonic keyboards, stunning solo’s whether its guitars or keyboards. The song also has very catchy lyrics that will get you singing along to by the end of the song. The next song is Kingdom Dark starts off wit the keyboards with an intro sequence then comes in a nice guitar riff, again the song has good clean melodic vocals. The song itself is again very upbeat with very good melodic tones and riffs. On The Run comes next on the album starts with an intro riff on the guitars then the keyboards come in and together merge with the same riff which is really good. The song its self is very full of great riffs either on keyboards or guitar and the vocals are spot on. Clown In The Mirror starts off slow on the keyboards with a lovely little piece, the vocals come in softly but perfectly balanced it is one of those songs that gave me goose pimples just hearing it, it is that good. The melodic sound of this song is just brilliant. The solo work on it is outstanding and I would have to say it was one of my favourites on the album. Making A Mess starts off with an intro then explodes into life with the keyboards and upbeat drums, The guitar work is very good and the vocals on this very symphonic song are again just brilliant the lyrics are clean and well written. Times starts off with an acoustic guitar and very low clean vocals then it bursts into life with its melodic riffs and catchy vocals and symphonic keyboards which is the trade mark of this band. Tearing Down The World starts off with the keyboards in a very upbeat style which get my foot tapping straight away then the melodic vocals come in. Throughout the whole song it is full of great catchy lyrics, awesome riffs and very good quality solos on the guitar and on the keyboard. Silent Screams starts off with some medieval keyboarding which sound great then the guitars come in with a cracking riff which gets me rocking instantly. The vocals come in which again are precise and hit the spot, the keyboarding on this song much like the rest of the album is outstanding, Also the guitars riffs are of the highest quality. Fear is the title of the fifth album and is the longest on this track on this album. It starts off with talking I am sure it is from a film but not sure then the keyboard and vocals come in after a short while the bass riff takes over with the keyboards and guitar following with some good riffs. It has an eerie feel to this song in which makes the song perfect due to the name the vocals are well balanced and precise. The guitar riffs are very well done and the keyboards make the whole song so balanced in that is perfect it tells a great story of Fear. Sea Of Time starts with a ticking clock and church bells ringing then the keyboards come in with a really good guitar riff along side it. It then goes into a stunning little solo after the solo the vocals take over which again are very melodic and precise. This is a really good quality song in which it tells you the perfect story.

Overall

This is a really classic album spanning seven years of the start of the bands era. This is an absolutely brilliant album it has everything clean melodic vocals, symphonic keyboards, awesome guitar riffs and stunning solos. This is what I would call a best of album the songs was delivered with perfection musically and lyrically. I would definitely go out and buy this myself it is a upbeat feel good album.

9/10

Members
André Andersen – keyboards
DC Cooper – vocals
Allan Sørensen – drums
Andreas Passmark – bass
Jonas Larsen – guitars