Review by Lynxie on July 10, 2023.

Terra Atlantica's third studio release Beyond The Borders shows how trusty the German side of power metal can be. This is every bit as excellent as their prior works with an even stronger dosage of triumph injected. This thing makes me want to leap to the sky, or run around carrying that flag of saying 'Power Metal Never Die!'. It's glorious and epic almost to a fault. So of course I love it. I tear up merely listening to that opening of 'The Scarlet Banners'.

Really, it's good to know that there are still some power metal bands keeping the tradition alive by having such grandiose opening as 'Overture'. It reminds me of Rhapsody on so many levels with those epic pipe organs and serene keyboards. Then it transitioned smoothly to the mind-blowing 'The Scarlet Banners' with Egduy riffism and monolithic orchestras. The folkish 'Far From Alive' followed with acoustic strummings and grandiose choirs before we ride into the Twilight Force-esque anthem that is the title track. I'm gonna stop before this review turns into a track-by-track review of how upbeat, how majestic Terra Atlantica is. Just let it be known that there are still crispy, heavy riffs around, like those on 'Hellfire' or 'Take Us Home', else I would've been very pissed.

Then there is also the 'Rondo Alla Turca' on the 8-min epic 'The Great Escape' serving as some sort of a solo. Much better than Dragonland's depiction if I may say so myself. The folkish tendency of Terra Atlantica seems to pop up more than once too. I've already mentioned 'Far From Alive', and then there is also the polka-ish 'Pirate Bay' with some Spanish thrown into the mix. The interlude 'Guns And Drums' was also a fun jaunty ride, the flutes streaming along the guitar. But at the end of the day the game is all about furious speed, maddeningly brainwashing choruses and slick melody hooks.
It's also the first time I've seen fantasy and history combined for a concept album. But of course, at core, Beyond The Border is still about some epic adventure. Just that Terra Atlantica has added piracy and the March Revolution on the plate. While it doesn't really create any depth, it does add some points of interest to their voyage for Atlantica.

Beyond The Borders is nothing the quartet hasn't done before to be sure, the old-school reminiscence is an ever strong point with Terra Atlantica. As a result the serene piano ballad 'Just One Look' falls nothing short of 'Land Of The Miracle'. The whole vigor of the album is pure Rhapsody and early Edguy. It's fun, without doubt, just one listen and I'm already on their ships heading for Atlantica. This is prime old-school Europower, with the fine production of modern age. Highly recommended.

Highlights: 'The Scarlet Banners', 'Hellfire', 'Pirate Bay', 'The Great Escape'

Rating: 9.1 out of 10