After the Hourglass Sands of Eternity, most commonly known as Hourglass SOE, disbanded in 2002, Ioannis Ioakimides, the main composer for the band, continued to write music for a new album. Now, in 2022, Ioakimides has deemed that the time is right and after 20 years the Hourglass SOE return as Sands of Eternity releasing their sophomore debut, “Beyond the Realms of Time”.
Twenty years later, the music and spirit of Hourglass SOE is transferred to a new band, set out to conquer the power metal scene. With the attitude of an underground that releases a great debut record and the more elegant and well-shaped style of a mainstream group, the Sands of Eternity have, without a doubt, released a thundering debut.
For the release of “Beyond the Realms of Time”, Ioakimides joined forces with Bob Katsionis, one of the most talented musicians and producers of the power metal scene. And as it seems, their partnership has been an absolute success. Iokimides’ compositions along with the production guidelines of Katsionis, have resulted in an album passage for the band, from the past to a new power metal era.
The “Beyond the Realms of Time” is an explosive and dynamic album. Everything is polished, there is not a single thing off sounding and the whole endeavor feels solid and sounds massive. Though closer to the European standards, with shredding solos and wide, bright choruses, the record often shows a grittier and more distorted heavy metal profile, drawing inspiration from the other side of the Atlantic. Bands like the Stratovarius or Hammerfall have clearly influenced the band, since their musical traits can be found in the tracks “Shadows of Light” and “Enlightened (Mighty Warrior)”, respectively.
Sands of Eternity’s debut is one of those albums that feed the scene of power metal with interesting and really good material, saving it from becoming tedious and boring.
1. Still Awake
2. Enlightened (Mighty Warrior)
3. The Hitman
4. Faded
5. Red Flag
6. Desire
7. Shadows of Light
8. A Different Way
9. So Far Away (A Soldier's Cry)
10. Beyond the Limits
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