Hailing from England’s West Midlands, DOWNCAST TWILIGHT have released their first full-length "Under The Wings Of Aquila", a melodic Death / Black amalgamation with symphonic elements and faint hints of Folk. They’re a little difficult to pin down. Even the foggy, tree-filled album cover suggests depressive Metal, which they’re not. But maybe all of this is a good thing. Why should bands feel the need to follow a specific path laid out for them? DOWNCAST TWILIGHT certainly don’t play by the rules. ‘Rex Nemorensis’ throws some keyboards our way at the beginning, along with chugging guitars, raspy vocals and steady drums. It’s a good, solid opener introducing the band into the ears of Metal listeners. The sound of flutes arise in ‘Soldier Of Pompeii’. Aggressiveness doesn’t necessarily appear much on this album. It’s hard to with flutes (or are they flute-sounding keyboards?). But that’s okay. DOWNCAST TWILIGHT make no apologies. If you want aggression, listen to VERHEXT. If you desire melodies and consistent lyrical storytelling, this album will deliver. ‘The Tyrant And The Sage” is an angelic epiphany of epic proportions. ‘The Ides Of March’ is a little reminiscent of AMORPHIS in its grandeur and beauty mixed with throat-ripping vocals. ‘Death In Alexandria’ charges along on its horse of death, parting everyone in its path, before ‘The Ironclad Legion’ pushes its way through at breakneck speed. ‘The Red Queen’ ends the album in another flute-filled ambience with beautiful female vocals whispering their way into our minds with the gentleness of a banshee waiting to steal the breath of weary travelers. "Under The Wings Of Aquila" just might surprise new listeners with its sincerity and ambition. It’ll be interesting to hear how this band matures on future albums. For more information, check out www.facebook.com/downcasttwilight, www.stygiancrypt.com