My expectations were high, but Sarea fulfilled them with ease. The album is filled with melodies that get stuck in your head. Already the first song is a good example for that. ‘Lights,’ which is the first single as well, starts slowly with a nice electronic melody which builds up and explodes to become a fist-in-the-face killer song and a perfect start to the album.
Followed by some other in-your-face-songs, we then come to one of my favorites from the album, ‘Let Us Fall’. It clearly shows the strengths of the band: a catching melody, beautiful lyrics emotionally sung (especially because it’s a balladic song and I love those), and just amazing from the beginning until the end.
After these four minutes of peacefulness, songs like ‘The Dormant National’ and ‘Dead Eyes’ (containing a beautiful piano melody) strike back in the album’s second half as some the heaviest songs. With ‘Circles,’ the album ends strongly and leaves the audience (in this case me, myself, and I) wanting more.
As I said before, Sarea have really improved since This Is Not Goodbye. Chris Forsberg’s vocals (more specifically his screams) got stronger, the melodies are on point, and the instruments are more geared to each other. In addition, I like every single song of the album, and that’s a thing I don’t say that often.
It’s always nice to see young bands grow and get better with each album. Some bands start well with their first record(s), but then they try too much to find “their” sound, and sometimes even leave the paths of metal in the process (*cough* Amaranthe *cough*) Sarea however just focus on their style and keep perfecting and evolving. That is the reason for me to give “only” nine devils, because I already saw their progress and I am sure they can still be better on their next album.
To conclude, Black at Heart is definitely one of my favorite albums of the year. Therefore, if you like music à la Killswitch Engage, Trivium, and In Flames be sure to check out Sarea!
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I don’t always listen to German melodic death metal bands, since most of them sound just like a copy of a copy of a copy. But when I do, I’m quite surprised by them. All Will Know is one of these bands. The sextet hailing from Darmstadt is releasing its second album “Deeper Into Time” on 20th November.
The band, who describe themselves as a mixture between scandinavian melodic death metal and modern metalcore, has created a great album that I fell in love with after the very first listen. The guys know how to compose great songs by mixing well-known basics of melodic metal, gripping usage of instruments, wonderful lyrics and a little portion of electronic influences. Frank, the vocalist, also has a very fitting voice, which somehow reminds me of Olle Ekman (Deals Death) and Henrik Wilhelmsson (Amaranthe, Scarpoint).
On “Deeper Into Time”, the musicians demonstrate only a small part of what they are capable of. There is a lot of brutal metalcore, but also soft parts, some (really small parts of) folk metal comparable with Ensiferum and also jazzy influences. The long-standing experience of the All Will Know members plays a big role there.
As you can read, I am very excited about this album. There is not much to criticize and “Deeper Into Time” is definitely worth a listen. Unfortunately, I first listened to them two days after they played near my home town, but I hope I will catch them on tour somewhen in the future – which hopefully will happen often, since I believe that a big career is coming towards them.
Tracklist:
- Home
- Deeper Into Time
- Still, Cold And Lost
- Towards Deliverance
- Feed Their Minds
- Reset That Clock
- Exceed And Refine
- The Rain I Bring
- Solitude In Fear
- Existence Denied
Playing time: 46:46
Release date: 20 November, 2015
Label: Noizgate Records
Website: allwillknow.de
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When I think about good Italian metal bands, only a few come to my mind. I actually know quite a lot, but most of them aren’t really my cup of tea. But nevertheless, I gave Sailing To Nowhere, a young band from Rome, a listen.
The first thought I had was: Lacuna Coil meets a trimmed version of Rhapsody. Well, a very trimmed version. But actually, the concept is similar to Lacuna Coil’s since there are two voices, a male and a female one, always singing in a duet – the beauty and the beast-concept. But like in Lacuna Coil, the female singer isn’t a classical trained opera diva, but a nice low mezzo.
There are some gems on “To The Unknown”, like “No Dreams In My Night” and “Sailing To Nowhere”. Also, the Anastacia cover “Left Outside Alone” really fits to Veronica Bultrini’s voice. And putting this song into a more rocking version makes it even better (since I usually can’t stand Anastacia’s voice).
But Sailing To Nowhere still have to learn a lot of things. Writing songs that are potential earbugs is a good start, but not everything. They have to become more structured and the songwriting isn’t really pleasing, the songs aren’t well-written but they are also not bad. If the band doesn’t deliver something better (I don’t even dare to say “something that wasn’t used before in their genre”), they will definitely go unsung.
Sailing To Nowhere definitely isn’t something new, it isn’t spectacular at all. You can give it a try, but it is not an album you must have listened to. Maybe somewhere, somewhen, I’ll finally find an Italian metal band which is able to win me over.
Tracklist:
- No Dreams In My Night
- Big Fire
- Fallen Angel
- Lovers On Planet Earth
- You Won’t Dare
- Strange Dimension
- Sailing To Nowhere
- Sweet Rain
- Left Outside Alone (Anastacia Cover)
Playing time: 45:50
Release date: 16 October, 2015
Label: Bakerteam Records
Website: Sailing To Nowhere @ Facebook
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After more than 25 years of extolling finnish myths musically, Amorphis once again read through the Kalevala to find new topics which could be turned into music. It’s already the 12th time that Amorphis are hitting the studio, and on 4th September the new album Under The Red Cloud will be released.
It’s not only the 12th time Amorphis are creating a new record, it is also the 12th time Amorphis are defining themselves anew. 12 albums, and none of them sounded like the others. While Circle (2013) was very dark and mainly brutal melodic death metal with folk influences, Under The Red Cloud is softer, with more flutes and instruments which add a special Finland feeling, but nevertheless they still draw on well-tried elements.
With such elements, the first track “Under The Red Cloud” introduces the same-titled album. Amorphis often use a piano as the leading instrument, as for example in the title track. The piano starts playing a melody and slowly, the guitar, followed by the other instruments, repeats the melody and finally, the whole band plays it. “Under The Red Cloud” is sung using clean vocals only, while the second track (and one of my personal favourites, if not THE favourite) “The Four Wise Ones” contrasts enormously with amazing growling and a dynamic melody. The song also contains short, but calm folk elements, which results in an aggressive song which doesn’t really seem to be aggressive.
Amorphis aren’t among the bands who produce the same album over and over again, the music as well as the members’ musical talent refines. Especially Tomi Joutsen, who is one of my favourite singers in metal (insert fangirling) got even better with this album. I was stunned how much his guttural vocals improved, even after so many years of singing like that. Also, he is extremely variable in his singing. Tomi could sing you to sleep and one moment later, he is able to growl you awake. And every single one of Amorphis‘ songs need this kind of variety.
The only reason why I don’t rate Under The Red Cloud with ten devils is my opinion about Circle being an even better album. I loved the brutality and directness of it and I miss this on Under The Red Cloud. But nonetheless, Amorphis’ new masterpiece is a potential album of the year.
Tracklist:
01. Under The Red Cloud
02. The Four Wise Ones
03. Bad Blood
04. The Skull
05. Death Of A King
06. Sacrifice
07. Dark Path
08. Enemy At The Gates
09 Tree Of Ages
10. White Night
Playing time: 50:01
Release date: 4 September, 2015
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Website: amorphis.net
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Let’s face the truth: Xandria is one of the most well-known Symphonic Metal bands. And one of the best. Period. Last year, Xandria released their 6th studio album Sacrificium and now they are coming up with a new EP, Fire & Ashes, including three new songs, two old songs recorded again and two covers.
Although the three new songs are nothing special, since it’s “only” an EP, the melodies are catchy and Dianne van Giersbergen shines with her operatic voice, I guess sometimes she sounds even better than the “Opera Metal Goddess” Tarja. The song “In Remembrance” is a beautiful ballad where Dianne once again proves that she is an awesome singer and her voice fits perfectly to Xandria.
Xandria decided to record two old songs again, both originally sung by Lisa Middlehauve. They don’t differ much from the original versions, but it is interesting to listen to this songs with a different voice (and again Dianne sounds brilliant).
I was very surprised to read that one of the two covers would be “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meatloaf, since this song is very epic, which would fit to a Symphonic Metal band, but I couldn’t imagine this song played by Xandria. And I have to say that the song maybe is a bit out of Dianne’s league, but she does her very best and somehow tries to make it to her own song, which is great.
The Sonata Arctica cover is part of the “A Tribute To Sonata Arctica” compilation, in occasion of the 15th birthday of Sonata Arctica, with covers by bands like Stream Of Passion, Van Canto and.. well, Xandria. As a big Sonata Arctica fan, I had some struggles while listening to “Don’t Say A Word”. It’s not that different from the original, the lyrics were changed a bit, because the original speaker is a male person, and I miss the insanity Tony Kakko puts into his voice.
But in a nutshell, Fire & Ashes is a brilliant EP (and look at this album cover. It’s so beautiful). But let’s hope that Xandria will continue working on a complete new album soon. I am looking forward to it.
Tracklist:
01. Voyage Of The Fallen
02. Unembraced
03. In Remembrance
04. I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) (Meatloaf Cover)
05. Ravenheart
06. Now & Forever
07. Don’t Say A Word (Sonata Arctica Cover)
Playing time: 34:59
Release date: 31 July, 2015
Label: Napalm Records
Website: xandria.de
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Imagine being in a (successful) band and writing new songs. But the new songs sound completely different from what your band is used to play. But you like the songs and you need to record them. So, what now? The solution to the problem: Initiating a solo project. This is what Jonne Järvelä did and this solo project developed to a whole band (or supergroup, since members of Amorphis, Oceanwake and others are also involved). Nevertheless, the band is simply called Jonne and is releasing their first, self-titled album.
Jonne is definitely not Korpiklaani. But maybe it draws on what Korpiklaani used to be a long time ago: Shamaani Duo (which later developed to Shaman before it became Korpiklaani). At least the sound of the album is described as “shamanistic folk music”. And this is actually a perfect description.
There is absolutely nothing that can be associated with metal. It’s just pure music made with acoustic and also special Finnish instruments. Together with the vocalists, a bonfire atmosphere is created and the chants could really be part of a shamanistic ritual.
Jonne is a perfect album to listen to while doing other important stuff, since it is not distracting or disturbing and although you don’t listen to it with full attention, you can easily sing along (well… at least hum along if you don’t master the finnish language). The songs are totally relaxing and even if the mood is nearly the same in every song, each song is unique.
I have to admit, I expected something similar to Korpiklaani, but I was positively suprised. Jonne Järvelä is just a great musician and he proves that in very different ways with different bands, but he puts his own handwriting on the music he writes. I really appreciate that and I am looking forward to what Jonne will bring us with the next album.
Tracklist:
01. Viuluni Laulua Soutaa
02. Ken Söi Lapsen Lattialta?
03. Ämmänkuolema
04. Kuku Käki
05. Metsään On Iäksi Mieli
06. Tule Hiidestä Hevonen
07. Leppäyön Löyly
08. Joki
09. The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel Cover)
Playing time: 40:58
Release date: 24 July, 2015
Label: Massacre Records
Website: Jonne @ Facebook
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When I read the words “Epic Metal”, my mind creates a whole movie soundtrack. There is a big orchestra playing… well, epic melodies, and I imagine massive fight scenes involving vikings, knights and something like that. And all this with a decent amount of metal.
Now, what if I told you that Vesperia’s new EP The Iron Tempests delivers all this? The band from Toronto/Canada have already released two albums, two demos and released their new EP on 10 July.
I was suprised when I read that the three songs on this EP were recorded live. But after listening closely I noticed it. Nevertheless, the quality of the recording is amazing and perfectly mastered, it sounds quite as good as recorded in the studio.
There are two new songs, and “Iron Saga” is just perfect in my opinion. The orchestration is great, plus the instruments and Morgan Riders vocals just sound brilliant together. The third song is a cover version of “In the Hall of the Mountain King”. Uncountable Metal bands played this song, Apocalyptica and Epica are just two examples. That’s why I think it is really hard to put one’s own stamp on it, but Vesperia definitely nailed it.
If I had to put Wacken Metal-Battle winners Vesperia to a genre, I would place it somewhere between Viking Metal, Epic/Symphonic Metal and Blackened Death Metal. You can see, it is not easy to describe their style, but I recommend you to give them a listen and maybe put them into a completely different genre.
But, really. The Iron Tempests is an awesome EP, maybe a bit short, but definitely worth a listen.
Tracklist
1. The Western Tempests (4:32)
2. Iron Saga (6:13)
3. In the Hall of the Mountain King (2:12)
Playing time: 13:25
Release date: 10 July, 2015
Label: Independent
Website: vesperiametal.com
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Naïve is a French band which really aroused my interest with their genre: Electro/Trip-Hop/Metal. I couldn’t imagine what this style would sound like, so I got curious and gave their new record Altra, which was already released in March, a try.
The trio based in Toulouse are already releasing their third album, independently, with Altra. To me, this album is quite an experience, because on one hand it isn’t metal at all, but on the other hand, Naïve delivers some good guitar melodies and drum beats. But somewhow, they manage to create a nearly perfect symbiosis of rock/metal and electro. The only other band I think is able to do this is Amaranthe, but they do it in a totally different way.
The songs create a depressing feeling, also caused by Jouch, Naïve‘s singer, who sometimes sounds really monotonous. I think the perfect word to describe the mood of the songs is “floating”, because listening to the songs feels like this, like you are floating over an ocean, feeling the (sometimes cold, sometimes warm) wind and just smelling the ocean. This feeling is also perfectly captured on the album’s cover artwork.
There are some longer tracks (around eight minutes or more), but every song for itself doesn’t get boring. The album as a whole sometimes does so. Maybe it’s because Altra needs some time to grow on one. But in the end, it’s the atmosphere that matters, and Naïve are able to create a very strong one.
All in all, Altra is not an album for everyone. If you are searching for heavy stuff and epic guitar riffs and things like that, Altra is definitely the wrong record. But if you want to relax or you just want to sit in a corner and think about life, this album is the perfect soundtrack for that.
Tracklist:
01. Elevate Levitate
02. Yshbel
03. Mother Russia
04. Monument Size
05. Surge
06. Waves Will Come
07. Altra
Playing time: 1:00:25
Release date: 20 March, 2015
Label: Independent
Website: naive.bandcamp.com
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