Band:	Rosae Crucis
Album:	Il Re Del Mondo
Style:	Heavy metal
Release date:	2008

01. Sacrem Reformationem
02. Rosa Croce
03. La Chiesa
04. Contro Il Mio Destino
05. Il Signore Delle Tempeste
06. La Sacra Corona
07. Il Re Del Mondo
08. Ballo In Fa D Minore [Angelo Branduardi cover]

Il Re Del Mondo [The King Of The World] is the re-recording of Rosae Crucis' first demo from way back in 1992, newly released on the Jolly Roger Records label. As they started out in 1990 they've been around in the Italian metal scene since quite some time now.

Rosae Crucis are described as true epic classic heavy metal by their label. Personally I would say they're like a perfect blend of the Spanish folksters Mägo de Oz (but with Italian vocals instead of Spanish (sounds the same to someone unfamiliar with both languages anyway) and minus the folk instruments) and the "kings" of metal; Manowar. Most of the music is really typical true heavy metal but also sometimes with more light-hearted parts or epic-sounding choruses. The Italian lyrics make a huge difference in terms of sound as well.

There isn't really anything wrong at all with this CD from an objective point of view, but there are a few subjective reasons why I don't really like this release. First of all I'm having a horribly hard time with the Italian vocals. When a band sings in a foreign language, and especially if it's a "passionate" language like Italian, Spanish or even French it's always a love it or hate it situation. And even though I tried, I really did, I can't get myself to like this singing (although the singer himself isn't bad, he has a very wide singing range). Another thing that just isn't for me is the mix of the true/epic/classic heavy metal style and the cheerful light-heartedness on some tracks. It just doesn't go well together in my opinion.

I wouldn't call this a bad release though. All of the musicians are decent at least and the songwriting has some good approaches as well, it's varied and some of the structures are very good as well, like on "Contro Il Mio Destino" which starts out in a balladesque fashion and then turns heavier and eventually faster after a while. But in the end this CD really doesn't make the cut for me. Apart from the two problems I have with it that I already mentioned I think this album is rather mediocre. Although it's not bad it simply isn't extremely good either.

If it sounds like something for you; true/classic heavy metal with some "cheerful" moments and Italian than do go for it! But if this description doesn't sound convincing for you than don't bother.