Dotma - Sleep Paralyses (2011)

In the world of metal, one flooded with sub genre upon sub genre, no band wants to merely fit in. There is the ever present desire to stand out, to emerge from the tapestry. "Sleep Paralyses," the debut album from Finnish female fronted fantasy metal hopefuls Dotma, is ripe with all the elements of a fairy tale. With each note, each keystroke, each drum fill, this looks more like a dream come true than a tall tale.

Layered guitars and keyboards provide a fitting introduction to an atmospheric opening track, titled "Legend Of Blackbird." Frontwoman Johanna Lesonen has a voice that is both assertive, yet delicate. She is capable of strong, over the top vocals, but can also exercise subtlety when necessary. Beautifully played keyboards accent what is a drum heavy track, with double kicks scattered throughout. Epic and well constructed, all in the span of a short five minutes.

"Reborn" is an example of operatic metal done to perfection. Both female and male vocals, delivered with strength and conviction, backed by a choir of 5, which could pass for a group of 20. Crystal clear, each vocal passage feels like an act at The Met. The guitar work deserves mention, taking center stage at opportune moments. It is not overbearing, but rather becomes the backbone of the composition. "Silent Sunshine" sees a pair of solos, delivered with magnificent accuracy and depth. Ghostly keyboards set the tone, as if they are the canvas which the track will be painted to.

Things slow down in an soft acoustic tune, the flute powered "Indian Fall." Lesonen has the spotlight on this one, with extra layers being added as the track progresses. Each time the drums build, you wait for the heavy explosion, one that does not arrive fully until the closing. With a somewhat ironic title, "Whispering" is a symphony of guitar, bass, keyboards and drums, weaving in and out of one another, dancing alonside a powerful vocal addition.

Strings lead in to what is definitely a track on the folk end of their spectrum, "The Cave." Double time chugging and cymbals give way to keyboard induced horns. Storytelling is at its best here, with a spoken passage delivered at the midpoint. It is culminated by the grandest of illusions. The keyboards deliver the sound of delicate strings and bells, which become the launching pad for a well timed guitar solo.

The uptempo "Kingdom Of The Sky" is an epic masterpiece. The well oiled machine that is Dotma shines in all aspects, with a performance that would bring any opera house to its feet. Flexing their musical muscles, they create a backdrop that is as sonically stunning as can be, with seemingly endless layers of instrumentation and choir style vocals. To dissect each piece would take days. The albums epilogue, "Memory Worth Dying For" is the perfect closing act. It remains gentle, but all the while forceful.

As the curtain comes down on "Sleep Paralyses," the crowd while rise to their feet. While the play has ended, this journey is far from over. This is more than a thread in the tapestry of metal. When you consider that an album of this quality, this potential is merely a debut offering, you can be certain there is more ahead. And it will only get better from here. All that is left is to take a bow.

8.5/10

Official Site - http://www.dotma.net/main.html
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/dotma

Read more ...

Blind Guardian - At The Edge Of Time (2010)

Pioneers. Visionaries. Masters. When the topic is symphonic power metal, Blind Guardian is all three. Those who doubt the connection between classical music and metal need only pick up any album by this German four piece. Flawlessly combining strings, horns and the standard guitar, bass and drums, the band has enjoyed success for more than two decades. Symphonic perfection is not common, but it seems to come easy.

Seconds after pressing play, you are treated to a flurry of strings and woodwinds, comparable to any symphony of the greats of yore. But Richard Wagner himself could not have conceived "Sacred Worlds" with such awe inspiring vividness. The orchestra does not fade, but rather melds with the band, creating a wall of sound like no other. Empowering and beautiful, the song is a story in itself, a call to action against evil.

The sonic assault that is "Tanelorn (Into The Void)" proves to be formidable. The vocal delivery is nothing short of monumental, showing both range and accuracy. All the while, drum fills blast forth, fast and furious. Guitar solos radiate outward, hitting you early and often, making it nearly impossible to sit still. A solemn drum march and chorus lead you onward, to "The Road Of No Release," an ominous warning of what lies ahead. Beautifully crafted backing vocals make it seem as though an entire choir accompanies the band on this quest. A piano melody ties the track up in a neat bow.

"Ride Into Obsession" is just that; a ride through the genre of power metal. Everything that has made this style so popular and accessible is presented for your approval. Orchestration, instrumentation, melodies both vocal and otherwise, and the pin point accuracy of each note. In sharp contrast comes the Renaissance modeled "Curse My Name," with all of its imagery sprouting forth. This offering would delight the most stubborn of kings. The quick fire tempo changes of "Valkyries" get the blood pumping, the heart beating and your mouth moving to the words. Air guitar is perfectly acceptable, and often hard to resist.

Questioning the right of ownership, "Control The Divine" is as lyrically powerful a piece as you will ever find. This could be the song of a movement, a call for freedom. It is followed by the down tempo, acoustic piece called 'War Of The Thrones." Another brilliant use of instrumentation, thinking outside of the proverbial power metal box. Since there is a noticeable lack of true metal radio, the choice of a single is often made to provide a cross section of an album prior to its release. This makes "A Voice In The Dark" the perfect choice for that honor. An unmistakable masterpiece of melody and substance, it gives just the right amount of each component to savor.

An epic adventure to close the album, "Wheel Of Time" is a movie theme waiting to happen. The fantastic use of horns takes this album to heights reached by so few. But it does not overpower, merely accents, the guitar and drum work. A string and percussion intermission creates visions of far off places, waiting to be explored. Surreal and life affirming, all at the same time.

The genre of power metal, in general, is one of few true superstars. This isn't for lack of opportunity, but rather because nearly everything has been done, perhaps to death. Only few can break new ground, set the others down a new path. When a band responsible for albums titled "Nightfall In Middle-Earth" and "A Twist In The Myth" has unnatural talents at their fingertips, rest assured things will never get stale. If their worlds were to collide, I think Beethoven, Mozart and Bach would beg for an audition. Maybe that is what they are looking towards when they named this album "At The Edge Of Time."

9.5/10

Official Site - http://www.blind-guardian.com/
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/blindguardian

Read more ...

Within Temptation - The Unforgiving (2011)

The Dutch gothic band Within Temptation is finally back with a
new album, “The Unforgiving.” A lot of you were wondering
which direction the band was going to go after coming out with their
amazing 2007 album entitled “The Heart Of Everything.” Well, this new

album is based off of a comic story created by the band. They’ve released
the album as a CD/DVD collection, where you can watch some of the story
lines and the music videos that go with it. The stories are great. I would
definitely suggest checking the DVD out.

The band chose to start off the album with a short introduction, with the
narrator of the story explaining herself. Normally I wouldn’t have a
problem with this, however, it throws you off at first because
she starts talking almost in mid-sentence. They could have
chosen a better line for the album to start with, or they should have
just started off with a song. After the 36 second intro, the song “Shot
In The Dark” fades in as track 2 on the album. Lead singer Sharon
Den Adel has one of the most beautiful and unique voices I have
ever heard. The song starts out with her voice layered softly over a dark
synthesizer, kicking off the first verse. As the chorus drops, distorted
guitars fly into action which produce a catchy riff and a catchy

melody that’ll have you singing along with the lyrics in no time. I
personally really enjoyed the lyrics to this song. Especially after
seeing the short story video.

The first single released off of the album is track 4, “Faster” which

starts with heavy guitar riffs. No doubt about it, this song
definitely has radio potential all over it. However, Within Temptation
is usually known for making “radio hits.” The verses consist of basic
chords and catchy lyrics while the chorus provides overwhelming vocals
but includes simple lyrics. For instance, the word “Faster” is

repeated multiple times. Like I said, not really their usual work
but definitely offers a lot of catchy melodies ready to be stuck in
your head.

Songs like “In The Middle Of The Night,” “ Lost,” and “A Demon’s
Fate” show off a little more of the epic gothic work that we all know

and love them for. Orchestrated instruments soaring over distorted
guitars chugging away, while Adel hits the high melodic notes in the
chorus and verses. Now that’s what I’m talking about. Great song

structure and dirty guitar solos.

Overall, the album provides a little bit of everything, from fast paced
guitars to soft and canorous piano keys. “The Unforgiving” definitely

deserves a listen to. For a deeper understandingn and meaning, check
out the short story videos as well!

8/10

Official Site - http://www.within-temptation.com/
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/withintemptation

Read more ...

Elvenking - Red Silent Tides (2010)

Italy's Elvenking have done their fair share of groundbreaking in the metal world. They could easily be known as the godfathers of the folk/power metal movement. However, they are not content to rest on their laurels. With this, their 6th studio album, they look to make the next logical step, and once again reinvent the genre. Lofty goals for even the best of bands.

As we begin our journey, something seems awry. "Dawnmelting" begins as you would expect any Elvenking album. Fast paced, violin powered, folk metal mastery. Lyrically powerful and emotionally charged, your head will bob subconsciously when the double kicks begin. But somewhere along the line, the vocals take a decidedly odd turn, almost sounding like more of a later Bon Jovi song than anything else. A wailing guitar solo provides a reprieve, but immediately returns to south Jersey rock.

"The Last Hour," an anthem in every sense of the word, would lead one to check their disc to be sure you were listening to the right album. Outside of the ever present violin, it just seems like a departure from the previous works. The breakdown portion, while strong, does little to bring the song back to life. It isn't until "Silence de Mort" that we truly feel like we have discovered Elvenking. The guitar work, with all it's precise, high octane fingerings is refreshing and vibrant.

A second anthem appears, with a hook that will leave you wanting more. "The Cabal" shows so much promise, but fails to deliver on the scale you would expect. The violin melodies are vintage Elvenking, and so indicative of all they done for the folk metal world. But again, the song drags vocally. "Runereader" brings out the first growl of the album, and finally ignites a fire. The pace increases, guitars whine and drums come at you in a fury. Gang vocals will have you singing along for the first time on the album, and you will be grateful for the opportunity.

"Possession" is the ballad, straight out of 80's glam metal radio. Momentum comes to a stop, and the wheels begin to spin. But your savior is on the way. Despite its title, "Your Heroes Are Dead" is a crushing reminder of what makes this band the envy of so many. Speed, precision and emotion are the recipe for power metal, and the band is no stranger to this. "Those Days" keeps things on track, until the unfortunate "This Nightmare Will Never End," a song which would may have been better if it had been left off of the album.

"What's Left Of Me" is another throwaway, leaving you wondering if Bon Jovi has actually formed some sort of  Elvenking tribute band. Aside from the background presence of the violin, it could easily pass as a "Crossroads" b-side. Some degree of redemption comes with the closing piece, "The Play Of The Leaves," a song which, musically, gives you what you have been looking for.

When you are at the top of your class, it often becomes hard to keep things fresh. Elvenking has been one of the preeminent folk/power metal outfits for the better part of a decade. But in trying to take the next step to once again redefine their genre, they may have made an unfortunate error. The album is missing something. Something so glaring that it may make you wonder if "Blaze of Glory" and "Wanted Dead Or Alive" will be placed in the live set. Perhaps their dreams are truly drowning in "Red Silent Tides."

5/10

Official Site - http://www.elvenking.net/index.htm

Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/elvenking

Read more ...

Opeth - Ghost Reveries (2005)

When it comes to the mighty Opeth, the only constant is change. Band mastermind Mikael Åkerfeldt is now the sole remaining member from the band's inception in 1990. But as each member passes through the revolving door of this progressive metal titan, they become part of the evolution. And on this, their 2005 offering titled "Ghost Reveries," Akerfeldt and company are redefining the world's conception of what it means to be "progressive."

Straight out of the gate, a blood curdling scream welcomes you to "Ghost Of Perdition." But this is no one trick pony. Death metal traits are combined with Akerfeldt's classic, melodic rock influences into a stunning contradiction. The band manages to jump back and forth, from devastating to breathtaking, heavy and distorted to acoustic and soft. An eerie keyboard presence and powerful bass tie each piece together into an 11 minute epic.

Blast beats and well played drum fills take "The Baying Of The Hounds" into another realm. Precision is the name of the game here, with bass and drums locking together as one. Vocal range is never in question, with Akerfeldt showing off his gifts time and time again. He screams with the best, and sings better than most. "Beneath The Mire" is cut from the same cloth. But to say it is formulaic just simply does not do it justice. Yes, you will find intermingling moments of brutality and pure emotion. But there is no overused structure, no time signature rule. Just when you think you know what will happen next, it changes.

The classic groove of "Atonement" catches you off guard. Have we gone back in time? Is Opeth touring with Pink Floyd or Deep Purple? Oh, not quite. "Reverie - Harlequin Forest" will remind you what year it is. Intermittent chugging over the background whine of a guitar, layered with off time drumming form an almost "follow the leader" moment, winding down to the end of the track.

But now something changes. Don't worry. This is still the same album. But "Hours Of Wealth" is simply to beautiful for words. A masterpiece in every sense, you will find yourself lost in the soundscape. Keys take a starring role, from the background synths to the piano-style lead, all breaking off to reveal Akerfeldt's emotional crooning. It is as lyrically stunning as it is musically. Ending with a guitar work that would make Santana jealous, you have mere seconds to catch your breath.

Serving as the first single, "The Grand Conjuration" finds the band back at their crushing best. Topping the ten minute mark, you get a little taste of everything. As you would expect from it's name, you get a sense of evil and darkness through vocal chants, as well as the screams and growls. The heaviest moments on this disc come here, with high speed double kicks giving way to pure death metal breakdowns.

The finale, "Isolation Years," is a story of loss. Again showcasing Akerfeldt's melodic sensibilities, the song will make your heart beat a little slower. "In isolation/She talks about her love/And as I read/"I'll die alone"/I know she's aching". Beautiful. Well written and well thought. The album fades to an end. The special edition version of "Ghost Reveries," released a year later in the typical Roadrunner Records fashion, also contains a brilliant cover of the Deep Purple classic "Soldier Of Fortune." Akerfeldt has never been shy about his influences, and it is really on display here.

As each album is recorded and released, the revolving door turns again, with more members coming and going. Oddly enough, as I write this, the band has just announced that keyboardist Per Wiberg has left the fold, and a replacement has been found. But that said, the constant isn't always change. The constant is vision. Evolution. Eclecticism. The constant is Mikael Akerfeldt.

9/10

Official Site - http://www.opeth.com

Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/opeth

Read more ...

Barren Earth - Curse Of The Red River (2010)

From the frozen hotbed of all things metal, Finland, comes a band whose name is misleading. There is nothing barren about the land the band hails from, nor the members. Featuring former and current members of Moonsorrow, Amorphis, Kreator, as well as heralded Swallow The Sun vocalist Mikko Kotamäki, this offering is more than just a "who's who" in the metal world.

"The Curse Of The Red River," the album title and opening track, is as bountiful a harvest as you could ever hope to witness. From a prog rock guitar intro, directly into Kotamäki's signature death metal growls, the song mixes so many styles into one strong outcome. The chorus finds the deep screams combined with clean, melodic singing. A strong guitar solo, which is not merely for show, paves the way for Kotamäki to scream his way home. And what better way to end an epic masterpiece than a flute solo that would make Ron Burgundy proud.

The formula is present throughout the album, with crushing guitars leading the way into melodies almost reminiscent of classic rock of the 70's. Never is this more evident than in "Our Twilight," where synths and keyboards bring out the nostalgia, before tearing it down in a crash of double kicks and screams of emotion. The range contained here is simply mind boggling. A piano laden intro takes you head first into "Forlorn Waves". The precise guitar work, and flawless execution of the rhythm section are a constant, but combined with a strong piano presence, they take this track to another level, with a main riff that will stick in your head for days.

"Flicker," an Opeth-style composition, jumps back and forth across the line that separates beauty from sorrow, hope from devastation. A guitar sound akin to the spanish flamenco style jumps in to accompany the smoothest of bass lines. "The Leer," on the other hand, has no such identity crisis. It drives forward at a faster tempo, using Kotamäki's gutteral screams and a syncopated drum beat. Wailing guitar solos slam the exclamation point on this all out assault.

Taking a short step to the folk side of metal, "The Ritual Of Dawn" provides a great contrast between the harsh vocals and the melodic, marching music. The classic rock vocal stylings chime in for another appearance, only to be joined by growls and the complete synth experience. "Ere All Perish," arguably the darkest track on the album, and "Cold Earth Music" show the off the bands versatility again, with seemless transitions from heavy to delicate.

"Deserted Morrows" brings the sledgehammer down for the final time, chugging through a 6 minute denouement that reminds you what you came for. The gloom and doom return in all forms; vocally, lyrically and musically. Oddly enough, the track and the album seem to end on an emotional high, with a triumphant musical outro that empowers that most fragile of listener.

With such a strong pedigree, Barren Earth are deserving of any and all praise they accumulate. But beyond that, they have earned their status as rising stars in the death/doom world. Despite the seemingly hopeless, ominous name, there are only lush landscapes awaiting this band in years to come.

8/10

Official Site - http://www.barrenearth.com/
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/officialbarrenearth

Read more ...

Draconian - Arcane Rain Fell (2005)

From the darkest grounds of Scaffle, Sweden comes Draconian with
“Arcane Rain Fell.” This, their second studio album, is a concept

album about Lucifer falling from heaven and creating Hades. An epic
story for this doom masterpiece.

The first track, “A Scenery Of Loss,” is 9 minutes of pure doom metal.

It starts with depressing drizzle of rain behind a melodic guitar
intro. A few short words are followed with a roaring growl that may,
literally, make you shit yourself. However, a beautiful female voice is
introduced about 5 minutes in. Lisa Johansson is an amazing vocalist
and fits as a perfect piece to Draconian.

Other tracks like “Daylight Misery” and “ Heaven Laid In Tears” have
great hooks, that include heavy double bass pedal work and more
powerful growling. Unfortunately, they are two of the shorter tracks on

the album. You may end up having to replay the songs because they leave
you wanting so much more!

The last song on the album, “Death, Come Near Me” is one of the

most epic and amazing song you will ever heard. It is 15 minutes and 22
second of pure Doom greatness. It opens with piano and
strings that create a great image for the listener. It then drops into

heavy guitar rifts, both depressing and beautiful. After a little
over 3 minutes, Johansson comes in with the first verse. This song
carries such powerful lyrics. As the chorus begins, she is accompanied

by Anders Jacobsson’s growling. They sing the lyrics together,

giving a “beauty & the beast” feel. Jacobsson’s growls are so low and
dark, yet they are so clear and understandable. This is a “must hear”
song that must be heard to be appreciated.

This album is great from start to finish. Definitely check it out. You
won’t be disappointed!

9.5/10

Official Site - http://www.draconian.se/
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/draconianmusic

Read more ...