Michael Kiske & Amanda Somerville - City Of Heroes (2015)

This is the second studio album for Michael Kiske and Amanda Somerville duet, City of Heroes. Noted that they are now using expanded full version of their name, instead of simply Kiske/Somerville. The backing musicians are very much the same, Magnus Karlsson and Mat Sinner are on duty to provide arrangements. City of Heroes come with slightly different feel compare to the past debut album. While the debut sounds very much Timo Tolkien, City of Heroes is leaning more towards Magnus Karlsson world of power metal. Michael Kiske sounds very much home, this maybe his most power metal project, as compare to his other job in Place Vendome or Unisonic. Amanda Somerville is given more wide range tasks from operatic voices to soul-like singing,

"City of Heroes" is the usual opener with tasty intro riff, then the guitars are chopping through out the song. Michael Kiske sings the most of the song with Amanda providing powerful backing. This song can be describe as ideal power metal + Kiske + female voices setup. "Walk on Water" is rather quick piano + orchestra ballad incoming but then we'll know why.  It's a real potential hit. The song quickly do the male and female duet arrangement. Everything went out really epic when we got to the power chorus part, well remembered. The composition get their teeth shown well on the third track "Rising Up". The song will be good sung by any power metal singer, and of course absolutely beast in the hand of Michael Kiske and Amanda. It's a slowly built up, the orchestra parts is no brainer and the choruses are again well written. "Breaking Neptune" is another interesting point in the middle section. Started with re-touched familiar riff. It is interesting because the song done in simple one-two pedal drumming yet the accompanied musics are heavily symphonic metal. "Ocean of Tears" is teary violin ballad, come in real slow tempo and Amanda Somerville takes the control. Everything back in track with "Last Goodbye", guitar orientated heavy metal track. "After the Night Is Over" is the third ballad, this one done with acoustic guitar on top.

Aparts from the lead Kiske / Somerville spot light, Magnus Karlsson's melodic solos also contributed to the composition something like the third voices. We can say the song writing are really get into good hand by the musician team and executed well by the duo. We also witness one of few female power metal drummer, Veronika Lukesova in action. Her drumming didn't indicated anything feminism , instead as hard as any men can do. Kiske / Somerville is transformed into highly waited project, perhaps in rival to other "duo" such as Allen / Lande project. There is not much complained for power metal fans, this is one of the year highlighted album.

Favorite tracks: Walk on Water, Rising Up, City of Heroes
Metal Harem class: ********** nine stars out of ten

Buy it Here - Amazon

Michael Kiske & Amanda Somerville - City Of Heroes (2015)

01. City of Heroes 04:02
02. Walk on Water 04:16
03. Rising Up 04:44
04. Salvation 05:59
05. Lights Out 04:49
06. Breaking Neptune 04:09
07. Ocean of Tears 04:28
08. Open Your Eyes 04:17
09. Last Goodbye 03:47
10. After the Night Is Over 04:57
11. Run with a Dream 04:39
12. Right Now 05:18

Line Up:
Michael Kiske - Vocals (Unisonic, Avantasia (live),  Place Vendome, ex-Helloween)
Amanda Somerville - Vocals (Avantasia (live), Aina, ex-Epica (live))
Magnus Karlsson - Guitars & Keyboards (Magnus Karlsson's Free Fall, Primal Fear)
Mat Sinner - Bass & Backing Vocals (Primal Fear, Silent Force, Sinner, )
Veronika Lukesova - Drums

Guest Musician:
Sander Gommans - Lyrics on track 6 (ex-After Forever)

Nightwish - Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015)

Nightwish - Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015) album review

The wait is over. Four years since Imaginaerum in 2011, and two years since the acquisition of Floor Jansen from the power metal world. Endless Forms Most Beautiful is the Nightwish's new album, marking the new era, well, the third era. Not only Floor Jansen is the obvious attraction here, but the band also swift deeply now into new musical direction. The theme of Endless Forms Most Beautiful itself is  Evolution and Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species". On band formation, drummer Jukka Nevalainen is not in the recording, instead Kai Hato from Wintersun is recording all of the parts. Troy Donockley is official member now, the first and may be the only uileann piper in metal band. The album has massive energy to be unleashed just by facts on paper.

If memory served us well, long ago Nightwish was known by its female operatic voices, who sing under neo-classical power metal genre. When Tarja no longer around, Nightwish altered the style and resulted in heavier, symphonical metal. The vocal style itself, by Annette,  no longer an exclusive signature to Nightwish. In E.F.M.B. where Floor Jansen debut, Nightwish also did not returned to the operatic voice character. Floor Jansen sing in her own style, but mainly "need" to fit into Nightwish newly, ambitious heavy orchestration metal invention.

Just like Imaginaerum, where the orchestration is begin to get large portion of the music, E.F.M.B. is even more ambitious. The first opening is "Shudder Before The Beautiful". After a spoken introductory, we got the very first new Nightwish riff after four years. It is still intact with old 'classic', it's very Dark Chess of Wonders in sibling, so old fans should feel connected. The different is, this opening start with calm singing line, something that indicated the song is only beginning part of the whole E.F.M.B. concept album. Middle solos are awesome, all three melodic player takes turn, the pipers, guitars and keyboardist. The orchestration of course on its different level now, it is real arrangements with real composer in charge. The song first impression is, kind of too generic for Nightwish and general female symphonic metal, though it is really kicking ass.

"Weak Fantasy" is where we need to face with many more orchestration. The song has  more character development of Nightwish and Floor Jansen style. Very strong reply to the first song. "Élan" itself is already known as a single release prior to the album. It is very radio friendly, easy listening one from the band. "Yours Is An Empty Hope" is full orchestrated heavy piece, where we got to listen Floor Jansen in her full metal mode. "Our Decades In The Sun" is the middle break ballad, arrangement of piano and backing orchestration are great. "My Walden" is the movie score like song. Troy's piper come in force in this song.  "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" is the peak of three elements, Nightwish guitar signature riffing, Floor Jansen singing explorations and backing symphonic arrangements. "Edema Ruh" is another easy and simple track with strong folk elements. "Alpenglow" is recollection of some old Nightwish string riff, though I hardly can remember the exact song they are "adapting". "The Eyes Of Sharbat Gula" is the usual Nightwish's instrumental break, choirs and strong string layer in this one. Finally, "The Greatest Show On Earth" is their most serious composition, extended to 24 minutes. Nightwish has finally joined Dream Theater and Rhapsody of Fire in giving the last for the best. I suggested everyone to take time, listened to the hard work of the band on this ambitious piece.

One loophole the album need to avoid is to not to bore the listener with too many repetition. Endless Forms Most Beautiful is very close in getting this trouble, with many orchestration parts, kind of repeated in other forms and songs. Especially with the last lengthy lengthy finale. But, all those problem can be meet by repeated listening and the quality will show up. Floor Jansen is kind of getting her different form of performance. Good maneuver, as she herself already has ReVamp for other creative outlet. In short, we satisfied with creative ideas compiled in this album, certainly the waiting time is worth.

Favorite songs: Weak Fantasy, Shudder Before The Beautiful, Elan, My Walden
Metal Harem class: ********* nine stars out of ten

Buy it Here - Amazon

Nightwish - Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015)

1. Shudder Before The Beautiful
2. Weak Fantasy
3. Élan
4. Yours Is An Empty Hope
5. Our Decades In The Sun
6. My Walden
7. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
8. Edema Ruh
9. Alpenglow
10. The Eyes Of Sharbat Gula
11. The Greatest Show On Earth

    I. "Four Point Six"
    II. "Life"
    III. "The Toolmaker"
    IV. "The Understanding"
    V. "Sea-Worn Driftwood"


Nightwish
    Floor Jansen - lead vocals
    Marco Hietala - lead vocals, growls, bass guitar
    Emppu Vuorinen - lead guitars
    Tuomas Holopainen – keyboards, piano
    Troy Donockley – uilleann pipes, tin whistle, backing vocals

Additional musicians
    Kai Hahto - drums (Wintersun)
    Richard Dawkins - narration
    Pip Williams - orchestral arrangements
    James Shearman - Conductor
    Metro Voices - choir

Production
    Tuomas Holopainen - production, mixing
    Mikko Karmilla, Tero Kinnunen - mixing
    Mika Jussila - mastering
    Toxic Angel - cover art

Whyzdom - Symphony For A Hopeless God (2015)

Whyzdom is a female fronted symphonic metal from France. Their power house is Marie Rouyer. The band is doing full scale power metal with orchestration in a style of good ol' days of Nightwish. A thick layer of guitar riffs is what put this band more in line with Epica instead. Symphony For A Hopeless God is their 3rd studio album, where the previous two already reserved some promising position in the heart of symphonic metal fans.

All songs are polished with catchy orchestrations, brasses and strings are swirling freely to accompanying the main attacking voices, the guitar distortion. In the background the double pedal drums continuously put heavy beats into the storms. The songs are no different to standard bombastic power metal. The first tune we got is "While The Witches Burn", lengthy Latin inspired choruses and cathedral bell is our first impressions. Catchy guitar riffs blends in, and we got the symphonic metal in its full seriousness. Marie Rouyer implemented a soft 'gothic' style singing in duet with the male vocals. But indeed, this is not their main style. The majority of the song incorporated straight forward, standard heavy metal style of singing, as heard in "Let's Play With Fire" , one of their very melodic song that I found very strong. "Asylum Of Eden" is having trace of Nightwish's latest Imaginaerum influences. The song composition itself have many serious highlight, such as just when the album exhausting into the end, we got "Theory Of Life" that really brings the album into the climaxing end. This left the last song "Pandora's Tears" acted as the closing credit, very similar to the last movie score in the end of its show.

This album have more bombastic power metal orchestration than what you may think. Almost endless of brass attack in every song. The highlight is Marie as the center of attention. Her voices ranged from soft gothic style to heavy operatic voices. Musically, the power metal elevated a lot from the guitar distortion, which trying to have more room when surrounded by the strings and brasses. Symphony For A Hopeless God is heavy, also melodic. Expected lots of high time listening to this. Whyzdom is the new force to listen, ready to sneak in between the other 'veterans' alike of Within Tempation, Epica, and Nightwish.

Metal Harem class : ********* eight stars out of ten

Buy it Here - Amazon

Whyzdom - Symphony For A Hopeless God (2015) 

1. While The Witches Burn
2. Tears Of A Hopeless God
3. Let's Play With Fire
4. Eve's Last Daughter
5. Don't Try To Blind Me
6. The Mask
7. Asylum Of Eden
8. Waking Up The Titans
9. Theory Of Life
10. Where Are The Angels
11. Pandora's Tears

Marie Rouyer - Vocals
Vynce Leff - Guitar, Orchestrations
Nico Chaumeaux - Drums
Regis Morin - Guitar
Xavier Corrrientes - Bass
Marc Ruhlmann - Keyboard
Record Label: Scarlet Records

Raskasta Joulua - Ragnarok Juletide (2014)

Raskasta Joulua is annual musical project held by member of Nightwish and Sonata Arctica. They are the Finland version of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, in which doing Christmas theme songs in it most metal possible. Hence, Raskasta Joulua mean "Heavy Christmas" in Finnish. The project has been held every year, and this is actually their 10th anniversary.

The first opening is quite a faithful Christmas vibes in "We Celebrate At Christmastime". The real winter adventure begins in "The First Noel", where the guitar riffs and typical heavy metal act gets going. It is a straight medley to "Here on the Hay", which is borrowing melody from Noel but in continued in new song. "Little Drummer Boy" is heavily improvised but didn't lost its signature soul. "The Elf" is narrative song, by Marco, to be continued by Elize Ryd in "Christmas Is Here". "Sylvia's Song" is also rarely heard new song in mid tempo ballad. "White Christmas" is full heavy metal rendering yet again, very heavy one indeed. "Home for Christmas" is in standard metal rendition, the same on "A Sparrow on a Christmas Morning". "Christmas Has Come" and "Ave Maria" all in power ballad mode blanket with top notch arrangements.

Definitely a holiday gift to every metal fans. Music are heavy enough yet capture the spirit of Christmas theme. The vast array of voices contributor mean this album is has plenty of characters to listen to. This is kind of Trans-Siberian and Avantasia in holiday theme.

Metal Harem class: ********* eight stars out of ten

Raskasta Joulua - Ragnarok Juletide (2014)
Buy it Here - Amazon

01. We Celebrate At Christmastime
02. The First Noel
03. Here on the Hay
04. Little Drummer Boy
05. The Elf
06. Christmas Is Here
07. Sylvia's Song
08. White Christmas
09. Home for Christmas
10. A Sparrow on a Christmas Morning
11. Christmas Has Come
12. Ave Maria

The voices:

Elize Ryd (Amaranthe)
Marco Hietala (Nightwish)
J.P. Leppäluoto (Northern Kings)
Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica)
Jarkko Ahola (Terasbetoni, Northern Kings)
Ari Koivunen (Amoral)
Pasi Rantanen (Thunderstone)
Antti Railio (2013 Voice of Finland winner)
Ville Tuomi
Antony Parviainen
Tuple Salmela
Kimmo Blom

The backing musicians:

Erkka Korhonen - guitar, arrangements (Northern King)
Tuomas Wäinölä - guitar
Vili Ollila - keyboards (Northern King)
Mirka Rantanen - drums (Thunderstone)
Erkki Silvennoinen - bass (Omnium Gathering)

Divine Ascension - Liberator (2014)

The Melbourne power metal sextet has back with vengeance. Divine Ascension is setting the people of southern hemisphere on full throttle with their second album, Liberator. As you remember, they are one of promising power / symphonic act when their debut album released in 2011. As close as to their first one, Liberator is one step upgrade for sure. This is much more serious works, stronger instrumentation and heavier singing. Jennifer Borg as vocalist is once again nailed it with her altoish voices, rather muscular one must say.

"Dawn Brings No Mercy" is ambitious symphonic intro put as an opener of the album. You will need to drill up some early Epica or Within Temptation music to draw comparison with the style Divine Ascension bringing up. On six minutes, Dawn Brings No Mercy even has enough room to put in a rather contrasting slow middle interlude, which also a sign that the band is now in full concentration to bring more progressive elements to their songs. "Stronger" is sample of their heavy symphonic track. With lively keyboardist and dual guitars, the band has a serious shredding solos to fight for. "Liberator" is the album title song that has multiple patterns to make up a good progressive metal cut, on full double pedal speed. Then also comes "My Contender Lies" which bring even further dark color and vengeance guitar riffs backed with slower tempo drumming. "Sorrow's Sacrifice" is open with clean acoustic guitar, the dynamic on this song quickly remind us to Dream Theater's Awake era sound. For some serious kick ass ballad you will need to fast forward to "Red Sky". The focus on this song is once again Jennifer Borg's vocal capabilities, which is victoriously produced here. For the rest of the album the band wrapped more headbanging power metal cuts, from melodious "Machine", "The Final Stand" to the  goose bumping acoustic "Memoria's Longing".

The album formula is their successful blending of power, symphonic and progressive in style. Then added strong character voice from Jennifer, backed with excellent musicianship by the band.  Then voila, this is a surprise winter gift to power metal fans. Oh wait, it is summer actually on their atmosphere. As a female fronted band, one thing I glad is the band did not fall in the current trend to added nonsense death metal growling voices in their song. Liberator is much serious and ambitious works compared to their debut. In the cliche of connoisseur word, their debut (As The Truth Appears) is the opening red Shiraz but Liberator is the unexpected powerful blend of Chardonnay - Semillon - Riesling (!??) from the Southern valley. Do not let this one slip without a heavy sip.

Favorite tracks: Dawn Brings No Mercy, Machine, The Final Stand, Memoria's Longing
Metal Harem class: ********** nine stars out of ten

Buy it Here - Amazon

Divine Ascension - Liberator (2014)

01. Dawn Brings No Mercy 06:31
02. Stronger 05:31
03. Liberator 06:07
04. My Contender Lies 05:48
05. Sorrow's Sacrifice 05:54
06. Crystal Tears 05:30
07. Machine 06:28
08. Red Sky 05:18
09. The Final Stand 05:46
10. Hideaway 05:52
11. Memoria's Longing 05:32

Jennifer Borg - Vocals
Karl"Inski" Szulik - Guitars
Robb Inglis - Guitars
Luke Wenczel - Drums
David Van Pelt - Keys
Jason Meracis - Bass

See also , Divine Ascension As The Truth Appears 2011 review

Xandria - Sacrificium (2014)

While most of female fronted symphonic metal bands are well remembered by their singer, Xandria are not. During their productions, the Germany band already rolled four singers. If you love their previous recording, Neverworld's End, where in that album the singer produced a Tarjarian era of sound, in this new album "Sacrificium", the operatic voices are bit of scale down. Indeed, Xandria once again need to build up their sounds with new singer, this time it fall unto Dianne Van Giersbergen's shoulder. In her resume is a Master degree in classical singing, specialized in aria, formerly sing in the band Ex Libris and so on. The most significant changes on Sacrificium is the band does not laid their music on the template of Oceanborn or Century Child anymore, both respectively Nightwish's album of course. Instead the band try hard to redefined their original sounds. This time the sounds moves on to general symphonic metal in the vibes of Epica. Coincidentally, Sacrificium is face to face challenge to Epica's The Quantum Enigma both released this month,  similar case happened two years ago.

The album immediately starts with "Sacrificium", a ten minutes operatic metal composition. It is full of dramatic song with lots of choir layer, orchestration and stormy drumming. Soon it is confirmed that Dianne's voice, although not as operatic as Manuella (their previous singer), is flawlessly fit into the style. By this song, the band literally moves on from Nightwish to Epica, if you need an analogy. Move on to "Nightfall", the arrangement of choirs as intro is their best formula. Nightfall build up their song writing from calm verses to bombastic choruses. "Dreamkeeper" as usual is the album's third track that usually serves as contrasting point. The vibes slow gothic-ian tempo is utilized in this song. Benefit of Dianne's flexible voice to switch into 'classic gothic' style made the changes easily flows from their heavy mode to ballad mode. This song invited us to their fourth track, "Stardust", which is a minor power metal feel song. My favorite track actually. "The Undiscovered Land" is slowest track, a moving ballad. "Little Red Relish" contained some folk metal ala Sabaton. In this song we can examined closer to Dianne voices. The same folk elements also found in "Temple of Hate". The album close with a sweet violin and piano ballads, "Sweet Atonement".

I've mentioned that the album pretty close to what Epica's doing, but there are major differences. First, the female voices are exclusive in Xandria, meaning no other growling duet. Good news if you are old time power metal fans that did not enjoy modern crossbreeding. The other difference can be that Xandria played more traditional power metal, that closer to folk metal, rather than Epica's sounds which is progressive in nature. So indeed, they are quite two different bands in the core. Beside the singer, we also informed that bassist Steven Wussow is the new kid in the line up. The rest are members from the past. Sacrificium offered a large different set of music when compared to Neverworld's End. In this case the band build up more original sounds, fully supported by capable singer on board. A well composed symphonic metal album.

Metal Harem class: ********* nine stars out of ten

Buy it Here - Amazon

Xandria - Sacrificium (2014)

CD1:
01. Sacrificium
02. Nightfall
03. Dreamkeeper
04. Stardust
05. The Undiscovered Land
06. Betrayer
07. Until The End
08. Come With Me
09. Little Red Relish
10. Our Neverworld
11. Temple Of Hate
12. Sweet Atonement

CD2:
01. The Watcher (Bonus Track)
plus all instrumental version

Dianne Van Giersbergen – Vocals
Marco Heubaum – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Philip Restemeier – Guitar
Steven Wussow – Bass
Gerit Lamm – Drums
Record Label: Napalm Records

Epica - The Quantum Enigma (2014)

Only two years from their previous Requiem for the Indifferent, Epica is back with their sixth studio album, The Quantum Enigma. It's definitely a time they spend well, because The Quantum Enigma is just mind blowing, a massive comeback from Epica. Considered the front line female symphonic / gothic metal in the world, they are ready for a new symphonic metal landmark. If Requeim for .... already seems like the top of the world, The Quantum.. is the tall tree on the peak.

As with other Epica's works, songs are serious in nature. This transpose into long and intense instrumentation, complex choirs layers. I would like to recommends some highlights of the album. The prelude instrumental is worth the time to listen.  It is just like the sky drum being orchestrated and their sounds surround the Earth to marked the beginning of the creation. Originem is not your cliche overture for sure. It is part of the album respectively. The Second Stone is best described just like the beginning of the life. Where every waves are still without directions, as the drums brutally mimic this situation. The Essence Of Silence on contrary is just their inverse situation. The song gives the feeling that there is a strong order challenging what happened in the first song. This song is having the best riffs on the album. Let's jump to the other highlight, Unchain Utopia is for melodic and minimalist song. Simone Simons is still on her supreme control , playing the rule of soloist of this metal choir. The album break into the second phase, The Fifth Guardian - Interluding these two phases. Enjoy that pentatonic oriental scale in this instrumental track. Then we repeat the loop again with Chemical Insomnia, only the loop got heavier of course. Even so,  ballad are found here. Canvas Of Life is a melodic ballad with sweet piano and guitar rendition.

It is the combination of Simone Simons, unparalleled choirs, masculine growling vocals and stormy symphonic metal instrumentation, that all make this album once again shinning over this genre. The behind story is, the band take full pause of stage performance. This to made Simone available on her maturity duties, giving birth etc. Meaning the band took this opportunity to fully concentrate to write. The Quantum Enigma really re-energized Epica. The band was almost slipped out of the mainstream when they begin to elaborate more technical stuffs, such as in their past album. Fans of Epica should rejoice, as well new fans looking for a solid female voicing symphonic metal.

Favorite tracks: Originem, The Essence Of Silence, Unchain Utopia, Canvas of Life

Metal Harem: ********* nine stars out of ten

Buy it Here - Amazon

Epica - The Quantum Enigma (2014) 

Digital Limited Edition:
01. Originem
02. The Second Stone
03. The Essence Of Silence
04. Victims Of Contingency
05. Sense Without Sanity - The Impervious Code -
06. Unchain Utopia
07. The Fifth Guardian - Interlude -
08. Chemical Insomnia
09. Reverence - Living In The Heart -
10. Omen - The Ghoulish Malady -
11. Canvas Of Life
12. Natural Corruption
13. The Quantum Enigma - Kingdom Of Heaven Part II
14. Banish Your Illusion (Bonus Track)

CD 2: (Acoustic CD)
01. Canvas Of Life
02. In All Conscience
03. Dreamscape
04. Natural Corruption

Simone Simons – Lead Vocals
Mark Jansen – Rhythm Guitar, Vocals (growls)
Isaac Delahaye – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Coen Janssen – keyboards
Rob Van Der Loo – Bass
Arien Van Wessenbeek – Drums, Voices

Ancient Bards - A New Dawn Ending (2014)

In their past two albums, Ancient Bards jump the ladder pretty fast. They were soon recognized as new power metal force in the Italian jungle of bands. With those two promising albums, now they are back with full third album called A New Dawn Ending. Sara Squadrani still behind the microphone, backed with all their previous member forces. A New Dawn Ending is the end of their sophomore years as this album yet another solid one.

After the opening intro (Before the Storm) we instantly transfer into the foray of power metal with A Greater Purpose. The song open with stylistic power choruses, Sara Squadrani then conquered the rest of the song with her melodic voices without much problem. A more intense and attacking track is to be followed. Flaming Heart played the contrast structure song between bombastic music and calm singing. The graphic of intensity and velocity seems rising to the peak on the third song, Across This Life. Rhapsody of Fire influence is unavoidable in this album. Fabio Lione even made appearance on the song The Last Resort. In this song they simply follow the generic template of power metal, simple intro, the bridge before the verses, Fabio Lione enters then final blasted with catchy choruses. Piano ballad is for In My Arms. Two long epic songs in Showdown and A New Dawn Ending.

Ancient Bards can also describe as the cross breeding between Rhapsody of Fire and early Within Temptation. A New Dawn Ending offered the most classic symphonic metal featuring female singer. Every songs sounds familiar to ears, a sign that the song writing really hit their target. The instrument teams has no problem transferring any details of their song required into music. They are balance and solid, no overly done parts. Fans of power metal that curious to hear what their classic genre can do in this latest age, A New Dawn Ending is the answer.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Ancient Bards - A New Dawn Ending (2014)
Buy it Here - Amazon

01. Before The Storm 1:38
02. A Greater Purpose 7:55
03. Flaming Heart 6:51
04. Across This Life 4:31
05. In My Arms 5:26
06. The Last Resort (feat. Fabio Lione) 6:07
07. Showdown 12:49
08. In The End 5:11
09. Spiriti Liberi 4:49
10. A New Dawn Ending 16:38

Claudio Pietronik - Guitars
Martino Garattoni - Bass
Sara Squadrani - Vocals
Federico Gatti – Drums
Daniele Mazza - Keyboards

Tuomas Holopainen - The Life And Times Of Scrooge (2014)

The film score fever have spread all the way through the Nightwish camp. Last year we saw the band launch a full soundtrack-like album with full length movie Imaginaerum, exactly based on the album with the same title. This year Tuomas Holopainen, Nightwish composer in residence, get his solo album with similar concept. The Life And Times Of Scrooge, is not metal, instead a symphonic album which serves as musical interpretation to one of Walt Disney character, Scrooge. You bet, this is the same Uncle Scrooge where Huey, Dewey and Louie rely on when they need a cash! The theme chosen may be unusual but there is a lot of new musical aspect ready to bring alive. I feel excited when Tuomas revealed this theme, the picture of Tuomas transforming a childhood character into musical journey just easily gone wild.

TLATOS is pretty much a slow pace OST-like through out the album. Nearly New Age and atmospheric nuance in the first two track, Glasgow 1877 and Into The West. The middle chapters included Duel & Cloudscapes, Dreamtime and Cold Heart Of The Kondike are tracks that building up the tension. For Cold Heart ..... they are the full vocalized track. These also included The Last Sled,  A Lifetime Of Adventure and Go Slowly Now, Sands Of Time. Tony Kakko from Sonata Arctica is the major guest involved. Scotland folk artist Alan Reid is the one playing the role Uncle Scrooge.

As with album with this concept, the absent of lyrics may be confusing and make listener did not connect with the music. These slightly in case to some of instrumental tracks in this album. I hope this album get attention to the Disney corp and can proceed to become real film project. That will be interesting at least. If resort on music alone, this album sounds similar to other OST type album. For sure, do not expect a bombastic symphonic works here, there is nothing that can be associated with symphonic metal neither. On other hand, this works also did not really touch the works on level of  big name such as of John Williams and alike. Tuomas has managed to produced an easy listening film score album, but yet without the visual, I kind of find this album just too random.

Metal Harem class: ******* seven stars out of ten

Tuomas Holopainen - The Life And Times Of Scrooge (2014)
Buy it Here - Amazon

01. Glasgow 1877
02. Into The West
03. Duel & Cloudscapes
04. Dreamtime
05. Cold Heart Of The Klondike
06. The Last Sled
07. Goodbye, Papa
08. To Be Rich
09. A Lifetime Of Adventure
10. Go Slowly Now, Sands Of Time
11. A Lifetime Of Adventure (Alternative Version)

CD2: Instumentals

Tuomas Holopainen - Keyboards, Piano

Guest instrumentalists
Troy Donockley - Uilleann pipes, Low whistles, Bodhran
Mikko Iivanainen - Guitars, Banjo
Dermot Crehan - Violin
Teho Majamäki - Didgeridoo
Jon Burr - Harmonica

Guest vocalists
Johanna Kurkela as "Glittering" Goldie o'Gilt (on track 1,2,4,6,8,9,10)
Johanna Iivanainen as The Narrator and Downy O'Drake (on track 1,6,8,9)
Alan Reid as Scrooge McDuck (on track 1,6,10)
Tony Kakko as Storyteller (on track 5)

Orchestra and choir
The orchestra and choir was arranged, orchestrated and directed by Pip Williams
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Metro Voices

Delain - The Human Contradiction (2014)

Dutch front gothic metaller, Delain is on their fourth studio album called The Human Contradiction. As with their previous albums, such as the most recent We Are the Others, the new album sticks close to their existing style. Heavy guitar distortion layer, combined with savvy synthesizer beat effects. On top of that, singer Charlotte Wessels is still the dominating factor in listening Delain.

Charlotte Wessels starts the album with her solos intro in Here Come the Vultures. The song kind of sad and mysterious in mood, something like bring us back to the '60s thriller movie soundtrack. On the second song is their heaviest track featuring Marco Hietala. Your Body Is A Battleground, is catchy song with full orchestra and choruses supports. It got a nice grrove as well. Guitar solos are there, but instead of giving speed light shredding, the solos play a long sustain notes with melody line integrated into the song. On classic piano ballad in gothic metal mood is Tell Me, Mechanist, featuring George Oosthoek. Sing To Me, is also another interesting song, dynamic singing line, symphonic metal, low string power chord and Marco Hietala harsh voices. They did not forget to also play a synthesizer dance beat elements, as found in Army of Dolls. For a total string and piano number is on the ballad Scarlet. Alissa White-Gluz from Agonist contributed her death metal voices in song of The Tragedy of the Commons.

The Human Contradiction also comes with another full disc of bonuses, a Live versions and orchestra version of their previous songs. On the album, the Human Contradiction is yet another wonderful stuffs of gothic metal / rock. It is the time now where Delain should stand equal to Within Temptation and Epica, all from the motherland of Netherland. In fact, where as those two bands are now heading for a new ventures, Delain is still in their original path where they just beginning to peak in quality. Charlotte Wessels has a great balance voices, wide range and flexibility. Beside the two opening cuts, Here Come the Vultures and Your Body Is A Battleground, I recommend Sing To Me and The Tragedy of the Commons as most favorite tracks of the album.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Delain - The Human Contradiction (2014) 
Buy it Here - Amazon

01. Here Come the Vultures
02. Your Body Is a Battleground (featuring Marco Hietala)
03. Stardust
04. My Masquerade
05. Tell Me, Mechanist (featuring George Oosthoek)
06. Sing To Me (featuring Marco Hietala)
07. Army of Dolls
08. Lullaby
09. The Tragedy of the Commons (featuring Alissa White-Gluz)
10. Scarlet
11. Don't Let Go
12. My Masquerade (Live)
13. April Rain (Live)
14. Go Away (Live)
15. Sever (Live)
16. Stay Forever (Live)
17. Sing To Me (Orchestra version)
18. Your Body Is A Battleground (Orchestra version)

Charlotte Wessels (vocals)
Martijn Westerholt (keys)
Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (bass)
Sander Zoer (drums)
Timo Somers (guitar)

Anette Olzon - Shine (2014)

So what happen to dearest Anette Olzon? After her Nightwish storytime, the world seem cruelty abandoned her fame. It is only few months ago she announced a new solo album and being released this week. Shine is understandable an album with completely different tones and style, in comparition to Nightwish. As we can put the same to Tarja as well, this album is trying to reach wider audiences, but still depended her luck on her Nightwish-fan base. Shine is by far a pop-rock in majority. The producer is Stefan Örn of Eurovision, so you got the idea.

Nevertheless, as symphonic metal singer alumni, she reserved a spot in our community. Most of the songs are simple and short. Like A Show as the opener, a mellow pop rock with sweet strings and synth beats. Honestly speaking this album did not mean as a metal revenge to Nightwish. Instead Anette jump into the style that looks like fit her singing. The main title, Shine, is still without a sounds of guitar distortion. This is much thicker Euro dance track. The song is nice and easy to listen. The song that represent slightly similarity to gothic rock can be found in Lies. In this song, Anette explored lower voices so that the album have wider dynamic range. All the rest are simple song with only one or two main melody. One Million Piece is a nice piano ballad in the near end.

This is for sure a light and playful album. I don't think this is much a serious project with only 35 minutes in running. The things that rather interesting is, where is Anette heading for? Just observed Tarja, she is firmly putting foot into operatic-pop-rock genre, which is very strong and Tarja still the big sister in the circle. Anette should be no problem tackling the softer, pop-rock genre, with her known popularity. But this is a huge maneuver and I still believe some of Nightwish fans eager to listen heavier stuff from Anette. Either way, Shine is a first sign that she wanted to still existed. The room is still wider open for Anette to explored.

Metal Harem class: ******** seven stars out of ten

Anette Olzon - Shine (2014)
Buy it Here - Amazon

1. Like A Show
2. Shine
3. Floating
4. Lies
5. Invincible
6. Hear Me
7. Falling
8. Moving Away
9. One Million Faces
10. Watching Me From Afar


Producer - Stefan Örn (2011 Eurovision Song Contest winning track ‘Running Scared’),
Co Producer - Johan Glössner, Anette Olzon
Mixed by Kronlund, Nicklas Flykt and Ronny Lahti

Dawn Of Destiny - F.E.A.R. (2014)

Dawn of Destiny seized my attention on their 2012 release called Praying To The World. That album marked in the database as heavy, full of double pedal power metal album altogether wrapped with excellent female voices. Two years has passes, the band from Germany brings us their fifth studio album. Titled as Forgotten. Enslaved. Admired. Released or stylized as F. E. A. R. This album somehow comes as a bit of surprisingly different continuation to their previous sounds.

F.E.A.R. begins with And with Silence Comes the Fear, compared to Praying.... where everything seems begins with a bang, And with Silence Comes the Fear is a bit slowdown of tempo. The band took enough time to build up their song writing. The song's formula still around intrigue guitar riffs with combination of all three types of voices, female, male and death harsh voices. The song seemingly back to the gothic metal territory. Waiting for a Sign is very much rely on Jeanette Scherff's high pitch sopranic voices. Lots of odd tempo variation on this one. And it looks like this new album is the band's brand new playground for their creativity. Takes a listen to Innocence Killed, which is dark ballad type song, pretty much stays in the style of hard rock, pay attention to the highlighted bass line in the choruses. Another strong cuts is No Hope for the Healing. On this track, guest vocalist contributed to bring this ballad song to the epic level. Rising Angel, is finally fast song with enough drumming berserk in it. Finally , is the blast song with that fly-feel of Lydian scale a lot. The album extremely switch into different style of music since this point. Prayers and Then I Found You is well connected song with gospelic triumphant feeling.

Then there is nine minutes song of One Last Time, which brings back the album into darker feeling. Pretty awesome track indeed. The album closes with another two songs,  Dying in Your Arms is stormy blasting track while To Live Is to Suffer is yet another emotionally mellow tunes.

This album is the band's turning point. Instead of doing generally known fast power metal tunes, the band gives true effort to raise their song writing into something deeper meaning. F.E.A.R. is completely a level up in their game. The album is heavy in contrast point between on track to another, unexpected twist. Musicianship are equally shared, from the singers to all fours instrumentalist. Fans of Dawn Of Destiny, enjoy the latest journey in F.E.A.R.

Metal Harem class: ********* eight stars out of ten

Dawn Of Destiny - F.E.A.R. (2014)
Buy it Here - Amazon

01. And with Silence Comes the Fear 05:37
02. Waiting for a Sign 03:22
03. My Memories 04:28
04. Innocence Killed 05:36
05. End This Nightmare 03:50
06. No Hope for the Healing 06:18
07. Rising Angel 04:32
08. Finally 04:34
09. Prayers 03:58
10. Then I Found You 04:13
11. One Last Time 09:57
12. Dying in Your Arms 03:40
13. To Live Is to Suffer 03:49

Line Up:
Jeanette Scherff - Vocals
Veith Offenbächer - Guitars
Jens Faber - Bass & Backing Vocals
Dirk Raczkiewicz - Keyboards
Julio Pablo Da Silva - Drums

Guest Musicians:
Mats Levén - Vocals (Candlemass,ex-Adagio, ex-At Vance, ex-Fatal Force, ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, ex-Firewind (live), ex-Therion (live))
Jon Oliva - Vocals (Jon Oliva's Pain, Oliva, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, ex-Doctor Butcher) on track 6

Within Temptation - Hydra (2014)

Hydra is WT's sixth studio album. The first sensation we'll notice is the appearances of several singers, the likely and the unlikely. The invitation for Tarja is a likely situation where in ten years ago, both Sharon den Adel and Tarja rules the world of female symphonic metal without much challenge. The song they are in, Paradise (What About Us?) did come with a vibe of Tarja's style, especially in her latest solo album. Epic song with thick orchestration that brings Within Temptation's earlier styles, although they never fully go back to the era of The Silent Force.

The other likely collaboration is with ex Killswitch Engage frontman, Howard Jones. The song Dangerous hits it hard with heavy symphonic metal feel. Howard Jones immediate reply on the second verses fit the heaviness of the song. Though he did not applied metalcore singing instead a clean voices. Guitar riffs are catchy with the beat, there is interesting hard rock snare drum sounds as the choice of fills in, which added more cleverness into this song. Within Temptation also try their sounds with leading alternative rock singer, Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum. The song Whole World Is Watching quickly switch into pop metal territory. Surprisingly again, they are both mixed well with Dave Pirner seems the contrasting elements in the song. And We Run, is the last collaboration, the unlikely one with rapper Xzibit. Though it is predictable for Within Temptation to try reach out into uncharted area. The song did pretty much in Within Temptation sounds, Xzibit only 'fills' in the bridge and a solos rap. Believe me it is a good experiments.

As for the rest of Hydra stuffs. they are closer back to their earlier heavy sounds. Not much repeating the last conceptual The Unforgiving experiments. Let Us Burn sounds pretty close to the Silent Force era. Edge of the World sounds familiar, it is Sharon's best cut to blow us away in this ballad song. Silver Moonlight is also heavy tracks with added harsh vocal in the background. Covered By Roses is nice cross over between hard rock blues song writing but wrapped in symphonic metal.

Very solid album. Within Temptation shows us that the band keep evolving into the right direction. Composition wise we got the best. The four featuring songs all represented WT abilities to write whatever they want to write. The best news is the album bring back a lot of their earlier sounds, which is simply bombastic symphonic metal.

Metal Harem class: ********* eight stars out of ten

Within Temptation - Hydra (2014)
Buy it Here - Amazon

01. Let Us Burn
02. Dangerous (feat. Howard Jones, Killswitch Engage)
03. And We Run (feat. Xzibit)
04. Paradise (What About Us?) (feat. Tarja)
05. Edge Of The World
06. Silver Moonlight
07. Covered By Roses
08. Dog Days
09. Tell Me Why
10. Whole World Is Watching (feat. Dave Pirner, Soul Asylum)

Sharon den Adel - vocals
Robert Westerholt - guitar
Ruud Jolie - guitar
Stefan Helleblad - guitar
Jeroen Van Veen - bass
Martijn Spierenburg - keyboards
Mike Coolen - drums

Within Temptation Hydra album review

Leaves' Eyes - Symphonies of the Night (2013)

We never sort of operatic metal album featuring strong female vocalist, one of them is Leaves' Eyes. Liv Kristine is their main force and attraction. They known mostly as symphonic metal with strong folk elements, casually bring in native language words as song title, Lovelorn, Meredead, Siglirn, Njord, and other Middle-Earth slangs. Their music therefore distinguished by nature to met the lyrical theme. Symphonies of the Night is their fifth studio album. While the folk metal still existed in this album, and it's also lean into general operatic female voice - growl vocal to adhered the current trend.

The first example come quickly, Hell to the Heavens is actually catching ear song when Liv Kristine enter the verses, especially with that Nightwish-style riff, but then when the growling pop out the originality of the song is compromised. Of course the folk metal is still around, Maid of Lorraine, Galswintha are top choice to enjoy this imaginative genre of metal, especially Galswintha which is inspiring New-Age-ish - galloping - gothic metal tunes. The album title song comes in strong as well, the sentence Symphony of the Night used well as the chorus highlight. Saint Cecelia is kind of mourn elegy tunes. Angel and the Ghost bring in different character of song, again if the growling part trimmed I wouldn't mind. Éléonore de Provence is also interesting and fast double drumming track.

Most of the time, when the harsh growling vocal comes as duet with female voice, it's still ok, but when he sings alone it just sounds like other millions band without much uniqueness. The instrumentation works are excellent here, just expected from Leaves' Eyes. This album is simply Liv Kristine being the vocal point and other supporting instrumentalist did not try to steal with mind blowing solos. A combination of Power Metal, Gothic, Symphonic and Folks make Leaves' Eyes a difficult band to copy. A nice album to have.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Leaves' Eyes - Symphonies of the Night (2013)
Buy it HERE - AMAZON

01. Hell to the Heavens 4:32
02. Fading Earth 4:33
03. Maid of Lorraine 5:13
04. Galswintha 4:15
05. Symphony of the Night 4:59
06. Saint Cecelia 4:13
07. Hymn to the Lone Sands 5:23
08. Angel and the Ghost 3:37
09. Éléonore de Provence 6:25
10. Nightshade 3:42
11. Ophelia 4:24

Liv Kristine - Vocals
Alexander Krull - Vocals
Thorsten Bauer - Guitars
Sander Van Der Meer - Guitars
Felix Born – Drums

Leave's Eyes - Symphonies of the Night album review

Arven - Black Is The Colour (2013)

Uncompromising power metal combined with elements of folk metal, what a good platform for blasting a metal music. That is the all-female band Arven going to offered with their new vision. Well, majority of them to be precise, since the male still got one slot as a drummer. This is a Sextet from German  and they just released a second album, Black is the Colours, bring in out a taboo theme about multi race in metal music. They are fresh,  raw  and unpolished, making this an honest introduction to a new band that still on their path of exploration.

Believe starts with a good blast. Power metal riffs leads this song to reach adequate intro, before the confident singer charges in. The vocal style comes as typical high pitch Gothic style, making this something like old Epica meet Dark Moor. Blasting opening on the second track also, Don’t Look Back still on the territory of power metal jungle. The duel melodious guitars is one of good highlight to take a deeper attention here. Rainsong is trying to be more feminine with soft play at the beginning but soon developed into another standard fast tempo in gothic spirit. It’s also begin to incorporated a good amount of orchestra elements in the middle break and solos. The escalation of heaviness up to extra quantity in the fourth song, The One for Me, heaviest one. Unfortunately, the male voice in use is not the best in lower pitch at the beginning but soon when reaching the chorus, the weakness is well covered. The split voice throughout the song is a good one, something worth the compliment. A piano ballad is expected after five consecutive heavy songs, it is done in All I Got. This relax moment quickly vanished when the following up track, My Darkest Dream takes control. We then meet a full scale folk metal track in foreigner title instrumental song, Cercle d’Emeuraude. Another calm before the storm moment on the song In Your Dreams. Finally meet My Fall, a kind of climax to end this album.

It’s rather hard to produced a new metal album that does not sounds generic now day. With hundreds of similar bands that play power metal and folk metal, surely Arven aware that they need more to offer in order to survive the net of natural selection. Taken that this is only their second album, and the fact that their ‘uniqueness’ lay on their female members, Arven may able to capture extra attention later. Critically speaking the album is indeed trying hard to create new attractions, but still sounds too generic in most parts. This doesn't help when the guitarist in charge gives only a rather ‘easy’ solos after such heavy songs. Of course the overall album is enjoyable with many riffs and headbanging power anthem , enough for fans of this genre to rejoice.

Metal Harem class: ******* seven stars out of ten

Arven - Black Is The Colour (2013)
Buy it Here

01. Believe
02. Don't Look Back
03. Rainsong
04. The One For Me
05. All I Got
06. My Darkest Dream
07. Cercle d'Emeraude
08. In Your Dreams
09. Firesite Stories
10. My Fall

Lisa Geiß Bass
Till Felden Drums
Ines Thomé Guitars
Lena Yatsula Keyboards
Carina Hanselmann Vocals
Anastasia Schmidt Guitars

Arven - Black Is the Colour

Revamp - Wild Card (2013)

Ever since Floor Jansen recruited by Nightwish as their third singer, increase attention is put on the shoulder of the vocalist who once sing in After Forever band. With this in mind, it’s kind of curious to see ReVamp releasing a new album. First, this will mean ReVamp will not ‘abandoned’ even though their vocalist is  now (almost) on dual citizenship with Nightwish, at least at this moment. And secondly, this is to test the ground on how Floor Jansen singing superiority going to be , if she ever recording with Nightwish. The new ReVamp’s album Wild Card is heavy in character, with elements of progressive metal now strongly put in front.

Wild Card highlight with the three part conceptual progressive metal composition, The Anatomy of A Nervous Break. It’s Part I, On The Sideline is the opening of the album. It’s heavy and with this track alone the feel is now more toward Symphony X, rather than to Nightwish. Floor Jansen also share a harsh vocals in this album, this is in respond to the growing popularity of mixing soft and hard voices in female fronted band. Part II The Limbic System is to continue what On The Sideline finish. This time, it is added more symphonic and orchestration, with composition goes far to required Floor sings in operatic voices. Wild Card back to straight forward riff and sing pattern. Even then, this is a complete song with best guitar solo on the album, elements of choirs, altogether strapped with harsh vocals. Precibus is specially composed to let Floor’s operatic voice put in front. Jump to Part III of The Anatomy of A Nervous Break, Neurasthenia is the sub title. Started with classy gothic feel, this part put the duet vocals in more action, none other than Devin Townsend himself to do this duet. The whole action put to the rest with sweet piano ballad on Distorted Lullabies. Need to hear something wild and heavy again? Here comes Amendatory.  I Can Become is a bombastic symphonic metal feel. Then jump to last part Wolf And Dog, again that groovy riff works great in the direction of music ReVamp put in this album.

Really, this album is solid. It’s has everything and I’m  very much unexpected to see how successfully they accommodated elements of progressive, gothic and symphonic metal into one single album. The choir-Floor Jansen- death metal vocals is now rise to new standard. Especially the death metal / growling parts is mostly flows very natural, it’s not like they spare a space for it, but the song itself scream for it. Guitarists in charge Arjan Rijnen and Jord Otto puts element of groovy and progressive on his unique riffs. The other force is keyboardist Ruben Wijga gives in amazing fills and solos for each song. Bassist and drummer is also having more space, you can hear a thumbing bass playing important lines of many songs. The album really make me want to re-listen to it once it finish spinning. Now, I curious to see how Floor Jansen can fully employed on Nightwish side! ReVamp’s Wild Card is simply excellent album with lot of actions.

Metal Harem class: ********* nine stars out of ten

Revamp - Wild Card (2013)
Buy it Here - Amazon

01. The Anatomy of a Nervous Breakdown': On the Sideline (3:46)
02. The Anatomy of a Nervous Breakdown': The Limbic System (4:54)
03. Wild Card (4:22)
04. Precibus (4:25)
05. Nothing (3:54)
06. 'The Anatomy of a Nervous Breakdown': Neurasthenia (5:07)
07. Distorted Lullabies (4:58)
08. Amendatory (4:47)
09. I Can Become (3:48)
10. Misery's No Crime (4:03)
11. Wolf and Dog (5:01)
12. Sins (Bonus Track) (4:07)

    Floor Jansen - vocals
    Matthias Landes - drums
    Arjan Rijnen - guitars
    Jord Otto - guitars
    Ruben Wijga - keyboards

    Mark Jansen - grunts on track 10
    Devin Townsend - vocals on track 6
    Marcela Bovio - choir vocals
    Johan van Stratum - bass guitar
    Daniël de Jongh - choir vocals

Revamp Wild Card metalharem

Tarja - Colours In the Dark (2013)

As part of the band who transformed symphonic metal into respective genre, ex-Nightwish Tarja still a force to be reckoned by fans. Although almost decade away from her departure from Nightwish, Tarja did not left symphonic metal scene entirely. She managed to pulled out three studio albums, along with some other releases. Now with Colours In the Dark, Tarja marked her fourth solo tourney, singing in more colorful styles, and more metal, with her sopranic voices.

As shown in first track, Victim of Ritual, Tarja demonstrated how easy to combined both operatic singing into metal. The song flows naturally it seem, from theatrical orchestra setting with soprano singing then joined by distortion forces, without much contrast, in fact sounds very familiar by now. It's a good opening, blending almost classical, metal and electronic music altogether. Then comes 500 Letters, a melodically song, very much my favorite song on this album, it show my favorite Tarja's style similar to many Nightwish songs. Tarja also decided to show off some experimental elements, as improvized on third song, Lucid Dreamer. In Never Enough is modern feel hardrock song, interesting enough when blended with operatic singing. A more conceptual song is in Mystique Voyage, in a style of mystique Pink Floyd-ish. In interview Tarja told that life has many range of 'colors' and dark absorb all of them, it seems Tarja's musical experiment also colorful and Peter Gabriel's Darkness maybe her exploration most far away from metal. In Neverlight, Tarja provided a raw rocking riff template for her to conquered into this style. Most decorated pieces could also found in last track, Medusa. In this 'progressive alternative rock' pieces, she was in duet with Justin Furstenfeld (Blue October).

Rich and colorful eclectics materials found in Colours In The Dark. For some reason, Tarja departures into 'free' world has benefit her fans on bigger scenes. If you like to connected with Nightwish, the first two songs can be yours, but the rest is just exploration between classical, operatic singing, alternative metal and power metal itself. In the musician line up Mike Terrana is the leading name. Although no double pedal drumming needed, the multi-styles setting in this project must be enough challenge for Mike. Alex Scholpp, guitarist from Stuggart continued being line up to provided guitar parts. The second guitarist is Julian Barrett, virtuoso called from Argentina. Technically, the album mixed well by Tim Palmer, you can enjoy Tarja's voices blend smoothly into the music. Colours In The Dark comes as bigger slice of cake for everyone to enjoy, not only by Nightwish followers but also those interested in serious combination of operatic singing and heavy metal in general.

Metal Harem class: ********* nine stars out of ten

Tarja - Colours In The Dark (2013)
Buy It Here - Amazon

1. "Victim of Ritual" Tarja Turunen, Anders Wollbeck, Mattias Lindblom 5:54
2. "500 Letters" 4:22
3. "Lucid Dreamer" 7:28
4. "Never Enough" Tarja Turunen, Johnny Andrews 5:20
5. "Mystique Voyage" 7:14
6. "Darkness" Peter Gabriel 5:38
7. "Deliverance" 7:27
8. "Neverlight" 4:33
9. "Until Silence" 5:03
10. "Medusa (feat. Justin Furstenfeld)" 8:12
Bonus for iTunes:
 Neverlight (Full Orchestral Version)
 Until Silence (Orchestral Version)

Tarja Turunen - Lead vocals and piano
Alex Scholpp, Julian Barrett - Guitar
Kevin Chown, Doug Wimbish - Bass guitar
Christian Kretschmar - Keyboards
Mike Terrana - Drums
Max Lilja - Cello

Guests
Thomas Bloch - Glass Harmonica
Saro Danielian - Duduk
Justin Furstenfeld - Vocals ("Medusa")
Caroline Lavelle - Cello
Naomi Cabuli Turunen (Tarja's daughter)
Mel Wesson

Tarja - Colours in the Dark Album Review

Tarja Album Cover Artworks

Sirenia - Perils Of The Deep Blue 2013

Norwegian cum Spaniard Symphonic Gothic act is what Sirenia stands for. Historically, the band was born as a rival project of ejected Morten Veland from another gothic band, Tristania. Five albums they are in, with the release like The 13th Floor impressed me a lot. In this new 2013 album, Perils of the Deep Blue, Sirenia comes with deeper Symphonic metal and their gothic elements are still pure as blue ocean. A good standing position, to not followed other gothic band turns heavy or progressive trend lately.

The sign of serious symphonic stuff can be derived from their 3 minutes long instrumental intro Ducere Me in Lucem that lengthy in atmospheric chanting and howling. Then Seven Widows Weep is bombastic first opener, full scale in choirs and buzzing guitar distortion. As in many death metal wannabe, the first vocal we met is Morten Veland himself in harsh growling voice. The female singer is by Ailyn Garcia, not in the same room of operatic voices ala Tarja, but Ailyn sing in higher clean voice territory. The effect of her voice is good to fit into mermaids and ocean blue theme, kind of atmosphere and new age feel. She again sing perfectly in My Destiny Coming to Pass, a gothic metal best formula of having bombastic music but the singing is slow and charming. Alas, Ditt Endelikt is something awkward with a vocal do less justice to its music, which is a nice one. Luckily that is the only 'clean male voices' track on the album, we back on the track of symphonic attack in Cold Caress. For a notice, Perils Of The Deep Blue come with little to none guitar solos, Morten put more energy to invent catchy keyboard arrangements, one of the good sample is in Decadence. More serious composition comes in Stille Kom Døden, where Ailyn's sing in slow motion mode for over 12 minutes long. The escalation of mourning come to climax in The Funeral March. Profound Scars is angry and fast track, now with a bit of guitar works along with a popular flute voices. The other lengthy guitar solos only found in the later track, A Blizzard Is Coming.

Surely a theatrical synthesizer cover up can never replaced a guitar solo. Listening to over seventy minutes of choirs and orchestration, as good as it is, hardly can avoid to fall into boredom borderline. So, Sirenia need to hire additional shredder to lighten up situation, I beg. The other thing, the popular yin yang attack, female vs (death metal) male voices is not as tight as in other similar band. I feel Morten Veland's harsh vocal is not the best part I enjoy. Ailyn's innocence voice is enough, so left her alone is also my pledge. As for the bombastic symphonic part, this is where Sirenia able to capture attention in almost every song's opening. When Morten's ex-friends in the Tristan camp trying to further away from their Symphonic root, he leads friends in Siren camp to venture further in this overpower Symphonic attack. Perils Of The Deep Blue is best energy drink for your sleepy summer days.

Metal Harem class: ******* seven stars out of ten

Sirenia — Perils Of The Deep Blue 2013
Buy it Here at Amazon

1. Ducere Me in Lucem
2. Seven Widows Weep
3. My Destiny Coming to Pass
4. Ditt Endelikt
5. Cold Caress
6. Darkling
7. Decadence
8. Stille Kom Døden
9. The Funeral March
10. Profound Scars
11. A Blizzard is Storming
Bonustracks
12. Chains
13. Blue Colleen

Morten Veland — Vocals (harsh, clean), Guitars, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Programming
Jonathan A. Perez — Drums
Pilar "Ailyn" Giménez García — Vocals
Jan Erik Soltvedt — Guitars

Produced- Morten Veland
Mastering and Mixing- Endre Kirkesola
Cover Artwork- Anne Stokes
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

Sirenia Perils of the Deep Blue album review

Edenbridge - The Bonding (2013)

If we take a look on musical history, Austria with its Vienna culture was one of music capital on Europe, even internationally. But when gone to a wicked out of mainstream genre called Symphonic Metal, Austria can only depend on Edenbridge, a quintet from Linz, Austria. As a power symphonic band that fully completed with female fronted singer, Sabine Edelsbacher, Edenbridge is not a small act anymore. As we know, all their previous symphonic releases was of high stars by reviewers. I especially praised the latest album, Solitaire in 2010 that capture some of peak act Edenbridge can offer. With such promising background I take their newest, 8th studio, album with high enthusiast, called The Bonding.

One of surprises immediately pop out. There is no symphonic intro what so ever in the opening. Instead we just jump into a ready riff in action. Mystic River is that song in action. Only a slightly symphonic motives before Sabine also jump into the singing line. Quite straight forward, the song heard as powerful version of gothic metal and it's a long one over seven minutes. Not far from that is the second song, Alight a New Tomorrow. This is however has a catchier tempo, but still come with lesser bombastic or symphonic than something Edenbridge done in the past. Star-Crossed Dreamer come as a slow song that perhaps come too quick as the number three on the play list. This to be followed by another gradually arise pattern, from soft orchestration into a full blast of power metal. The Invisible Force is the power symphonic composition I've been looking for in this album. Yet another folk ballad tunes in Far Out of Reach, this is better describe as serious composition with emphasized on progressive elements. We then get Shadows of Memory, fast track with growling death metal vocal provided by guest singer. Another good piano ballad tune in Death is not the End. A melodious charming song beautifully carried on by Sabine. On the last track, Edenbridge make sure we not get away empty feel, so here a 15 minutes epic, in as cliche orchestration as it is, The Bonding did close the album with us feeling full.

The Bonding concluded us with materials divert from commonly Edenbridge's sounds. The songs are mostly heavy in progressive development of song, lesser the power metal element. Orchestration come with different direction, instead of bombastic the song, the orchestration is come as more serious elements. So that we left the impression that Edenbridge is looking for a gradually update on their styles. Sabine's voices still dominating, but since the songs are now more technical we then presented a rather cold execution by her. The musicians done the extra job covering each song with awesome compositions rather than a cliche power metal riffing. The Bonding may surprise listener who enjoy Edenbridge's last album with great symphonic power, but now the band took extra step by giving more serious progressive elements into their sound. It's may be a good idea to enjoy their newest offering right now.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Edenbridge - The Bonding
Buy the Album here at Amazon

1. Mystic River
2. Alight a New Tomorrow
3. Star-Crossed Dreamer
4. The Invisible Force
5. Into a Sea of Souls
6. Far Out of Reach
7. Shadows of Memory
8. Death is not the End
9. The Bonding

Lineup:
Sabine Edelsbacher - Lead Vocals
Lanvall - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards & Piano, Zither / Kecapi
Max Pointer - Drums
Dominik Sebastian - Lead Guitars

Additional musicians:
Wolfgang Rothbauer - Bass, vocals on Shadows Of My Memory
Erik Martenssson - Lead Vocals on The Bonding
Robby Valentine - Choirs
Record Label: SPV / Steamhammer Records

new 2013 Edenbridge The Bonding album review

Tristania - Darkest White 2013

This septet from Norway is best known for their earlier works such as Beyond the Veil and World of Glass. We then see the band undergo member changes and then leaving their gothic metal roots, pretty much going to wider audiences, radio friendly road. On their latest work is Darkest White, out in 2013. This album continue the later Tristania sounds, but styles are blur than ever.

Number is tight black metal tunes with shrieking vocal takes the opening lead, to be followed is the female soprano voice thus making this a trademark three voices Tristania setup. Little by little, Tristanis dismissed their eclectic approach, when mixing gothic, death / black growling and symphony metal in their earlier works. This song Number is no more symphonic but toward black metal with extra operatic female voices, in lieu to gothic as main style. Darkest White is interesting darker tune, the riff sounds raw and hardly can imagine this is a band that need a female singer in it. Himmelfall is another mid tempo but groovy song. The song writing is good and the lower voices singing just fit it, finally with Mariangela joining in the chorus just added the extra multiple climaxes. Requiem saw them sing in normal composition, plain and just depend on their song writing. A good 'normal' song that give the female singer the main spotlight, after three tracks passed away. Some other songs in the rest of album alternating between going gothic, Diagnosis, Cathedral, and going experimental with black metal, alternative, to even stoner feel such as in Lavender. The final song Arteries bring back the heavy and fast tempo to close this album with enough bang.

It is hard to see this album as one single styles. It is also something redundant now to think Tristania as female fronted band, with pretty members actually. The male vocals takes the majority of the materials in Darkest White. To make thing more complicated, Tristania's guitarist, miss Gyri Losnegaard added more feminine to the band image. Darkest White did better than what happening in Rubicon, but again different from what we know in Beyond the Veil era. This is practically a new music direction and I feel Tristania at pretty wide crossroad, whether to be in extreme metal or stay in gothic or even move to alternative metal path. For now, Darkest White offer interesting line up materials with variety of styles. If you looking for uncompromising different types of gothic-death-doom-alternative metal, this could be your destined recording.

Metal Harem class: ****** seven stars out of ten

Tristania - Darkest White 2013
Buy it HERE at Amazon

1. Number
2. Darkest White
3. Himmelfall
4. Requiem
5. Diagnosis
6. Scarling
7. Night On Earth
8. Cathedral
9. Lavender
10. Cypher
11. Arteries

Mariangela Demurtas - Vocals
Kjetil Nordhus - Vocals
Anders Høyvik Hidle – Guitar / Vocals
Ole Vistnes – Bass / Backing Vocals
Gyri Losnegaard - Guitar
Einar Moen - Keyboards
Tarald Lie Jr. - Drums
Record Label: Napalm Records

Tristania Darkest White album review