At the Heart of Wintervale
{{Infobox album
| name = At the Heart of Wintervale
| type = studio
| artist = Twilight Force
| cover = TwilightForceATHOW.jpg
| alt =
| released = 20 January 2023
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Symphonic power metal
| length = {{Duration |m=44 |s=57}}
| label = Nuclear Blast
| producer =
- Lynd
- Blackwald
| prev_title = Dawn of the Dragonstar
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = At the Heart of Wintervale
| type = Studio
| single1 = Twilight Force
| single1date = 11 November 2022{{cite web|url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/twilight-force-release-new-song-twilight-force/|title=Twilight Force release new song 'Twilight Force'|publisher=Distorted Sound|date=November 11, 2022|accessdate=May 11, 2023}}
| single2 = Sunlight Knight
| single2date = 9 December 2022{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/twilight-forces-releases-new-single-sunlight-knight|title=TWILIGHT FORCES Releases New Single "Sunlight Knight"|publisher=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|date=December 9, 2022|accessdate=May 11, 2023}}
| single3 = Skyknights of Aldaria
| single3date = 17 February 2023{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/twilight-force-release-orchestral-version-of-skynights-of-aldaria|title=TWILIGHT FORCE Release Orchestral Version Of "Skynights Of Aldaria"|publisher=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|date=February 17, 2023|accessdate=May 11, 2023}}
}}
}}
At the Heart of Wintervale is the fourth studio album by Swedish symphonic power metal band Twilight Force. The album was released on 20 January 2023, through Nuclear Blast. It was produced by Lynd and Blackwald.{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/twilight-force-at-the-heart-of-wintervale-album-to-arrive-in-january|title=TWILIGHT FORCE - At The Heart Of Wintervale Album To Arrive In January|publisher=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|date=November 3, 2022|accessdate=May 11, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=47676|title=Twilight Force - Announce 'At The Heart Of Wintervale' Album|publisher=Metal Storm|date=November 3, 2022|accessdate=May 11, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.velvetthunder.co.uk/twilight-force-announce-new-album-at-the-heart-of-wintervale/|title=TWILIGHT FORCE announce new album 'At the Heart of Wintervale'|publisher=Velvet Thunder|date=November 7, 2022|accessdate=May 11, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/twilight-force-announce-new-album-at-the-heart-of-wintervale/|title=Twilight Force announce new album 'At The Heart Of Wintervale'|publisher=Distorted Sound|date=November 4, 2022|accessdate=May 11, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://metalshockfinland.com/2022/11/03/twilight-force-announce-new-album-at-the-heart-of-wintervale-pre-save-first-single-twilight-force/|title=TWILIGHT FORCE Announce New Album "At the Heart of Wintervale", Pre-Save First Single 'Twilight Force'|publisher=Metal Shock Finland|date=November 3, 2022|accessdate=May 11, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://metalinsider.net/releases/twilight-force-announce-new-album-at-the-heart-of-wintervale|title=Twilight Force announce new album 'At The Heart of Wintervale'|publisher=Metal Insider|date=November 3, 2022|accessdate=May 11, 2023}} It is the final album to feature longtime members Lynd, Aerendir and Born.
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Blabbermouth.net
| rev1score = 8.5/10{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/reviews/at-the-heart-of-wintervale|title=TWILIGHT FORCE At The Heart Of Wintervale|work=Blabbermouth.net|last=Lawson|first=Dom|date=January 20, 2023}}
| rev2 = Metal Storm
| rev2score = 7.6/10{{cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=18195|title=Twilight Force - At The Heart Of Wintervale review|work=Metal Storm|accessdate=January 20, 2023}}
| noprose = yes
}}
The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Dom Lawson from Blabbermouth.net gave the album 8.5 out of 10 and said: "As the late, great Freddie Mercury may or may not have said at some point: if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing. Twilight Force's continuing adventures remain more absurdly entertaining than most."
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing = Twilight Force
| headline = At the Heart of Wintervale track listing
| title1 = Twilight Force
| length1 = 4:11
| title2 = At the Heart of Wintervale
| length2 = 4:50
| title3 = Dragonborn
| length3 = 4:00
| title4 = Highlands of the Elder Dragon
| length4 = 10:32
| title5 = Skyknights of Aldaria
| length5 = 5:13
| title6 = A Familiar Memory
| length6 = 1:18
| title7 = Sunlight Knight
| length7 = 4:28
| title8 = The Last Crystal Bearer
| length8 = 10:20
| total_length = 44:57
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Bonus tracks
| title9 = The Sapphire Dragon of Arcane Might Is Back Again
| length9 = 3:35
| title10 = Skyknights of Aldaria
| note10 = orchestral version
| length10 = 5:14
| title11 = The Last Crystal Bearer
| note11 = orchestral version
| length11 = 10:20
| total_length = 64:06
}}
Personnel
Twilight Force
- Allyon – lead vocals, artwork
- Lynd – lead guitar, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, lute, choir, production, mixing, mastering, cover, concept, art direction
- Aerendir – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Born – bass, backing vocals
- De'Azsh – drums, percussion
- Blackwald – keyboards, backing vocals, piano, violin, cembalo, narration, choir, production, engineering, mixing, mastering, cover, concept, art direction
Additional musicians
- Krysthara – choir
Additional personnel
- Simone Mularoni – mastering
- Tullius Heuer – sleeve, design