 |
| Symphonic/Gothic Metal |
The album is opened with luscious pads, like rays of light travelling deep into an underwater world. This is complimented by some gentle, melodic piano. The song slowly builds, with siren like vocals being introduced and more orchestral elements being added, until eventually climaxing into a full choir and symphony. The song then mellows again. A very nice intro.
The second song "Seven Widows Weep" starts of with an epic choir, something which has become somewhat of a trademark of Sirenia's sound. There are bombastic orchestral hits, thrashing guitars and powerful drumming. Some slightly harsh male vocals make an appearance, and then there is the innocent, sweet childlike voice of Aiylin. As the song progresses it becomes more interesting with speedy piano playing and memorable melodies.
Track three "My Destiny Coming to Pass" is introduced with heavy guitaring and a melody that seems somewhat familiar. It reminds me of a dance hit from the 90s maybe it was "Neverending Dream" or something else, not quite sure. (If anyone else recognises it, please do tell me) The song flows nicely with pleasant vocal melodies and orchestral spiccatos. This guitar consists largely of simple hammering, with some nice riffs in the bridges, combined with the choirs this is reminiscent of the style from Morten's Tristania album, "Beyond the Veil".
The next track "Ditt Endelikt" is again very melodically strong. This song shows stronger gothic rock influences with both the clean and distorted lead guitar styles, and classic chugging goth bassline. Some electronic sounds are used later on, giving the song a Clan of Xymox feel briefly. "Cold Caress" is kicked of with some very dark choirs. There is some faster guitar here, and subtle harpsichord playing low in the mix which adds a nice touch. As usual in Sirenia songs, the music rises into a strong and brighter vocal refrain, before dropping back into a deep and dark sound.
Up next is "Darkling" which starts with some Katatonia/commercial goth metal style guitar work, progressing onto heavier chugging. Again, very strong vocal hooks and melodies. Following this is "Decadence" which starts with some electro synth sounds. There is some use of heavily processed vocals, which I'm not a fan of. The song varies back and forth from a gothic metal feel to a more industrial/darkwave feel. Nice guitar solo towards the end.
"Stille Kom Døden" begins with an ambient, melancholic feel. It then moves on becoming a deep and atmospheric song. The clean guitar tone and melody brings about a gothic rock feel once again. The dark and introspective feel is then transformed by an interlude of bombast. Yes more epic choirs, and also heavier guitar sections before reverting back to a deeper atmospheric sound.
I was expecting funeral march to resemble a funeral march in some way, but it doesn't really. Again it's another track of heavy guitars and strong melodies, with rich orchestrations. This is followed by "Profound Scars" starting with a flute, then moving onto a modern metal sound. There are more processed vocals here, and some more electro synths. They're more subtle here, which makes them acceptable.The final song "A Blizzard Is Storming" in parts sounds like that level from Mario, you probably know the one I mean.
The album is consistent, inspired and packed throughout with distinctive melodies and hooks. It is less "pop" orientated that previous Sirenia albums, with more interesting and varied song structure while still retaining a catchy and accessible quality. In all honesty I had become tired of sub-par symphonic/gothic metal recently, but this album has managed to restore my faith in the genre. 9/10
The second song "Seven Widows Weep" starts of with an epic choir, something which has become somewhat of a trademark of Sirenia's sound. There are bombastic orchestral hits, thrashing guitars and powerful drumming. Some slightly harsh male vocals make an appearance, and then there is the innocent, sweet childlike voice of Aiylin. As the song progresses it becomes more interesting with speedy piano playing and memorable melodies.
Track three "My Destiny Coming to Pass" is introduced with heavy guitaring and a melody that seems somewhat familiar. It reminds me of a dance hit from the 90s maybe it was "Neverending Dream" or something else, not quite sure. (If anyone else recognises it, please do tell me) The song flows nicely with pleasant vocal melodies and orchestral spiccatos. This guitar consists largely of simple hammering, with some nice riffs in the bridges, combined with the choirs this is reminiscent of the style from Morten's Tristania album, "Beyond the Veil".
The next track "Ditt Endelikt" is again very melodically strong. This song shows stronger gothic rock influences with both the clean and distorted lead guitar styles, and classic chugging goth bassline. Some electronic sounds are used later on, giving the song a Clan of Xymox feel briefly. "Cold Caress" is kicked of with some very dark choirs. There is some faster guitar here, and subtle harpsichord playing low in the mix which adds a nice touch. As usual in Sirenia songs, the music rises into a strong and brighter vocal refrain, before dropping back into a deep and dark sound.
Up next is "Darkling" which starts with some Katatonia/commercial goth metal style guitar work, progressing onto heavier chugging. Again, very strong vocal hooks and melodies. Following this is "Decadence" which starts with some electro synth sounds. There is some use of heavily processed vocals, which I'm not a fan of. The song varies back and forth from a gothic metal feel to a more industrial/darkwave feel. Nice guitar solo towards the end.
"Stille Kom Døden" begins with an ambient, melancholic feel. It then moves on becoming a deep and atmospheric song. The clean guitar tone and melody brings about a gothic rock feel once again. The dark and introspective feel is then transformed by an interlude of bombast. Yes more epic choirs, and also heavier guitar sections before reverting back to a deeper atmospheric sound.
I was expecting funeral march to resemble a funeral march in some way, but it doesn't really. Again it's another track of heavy guitars and strong melodies, with rich orchestrations. This is followed by "Profound Scars" starting with a flute, then moving onto a modern metal sound. There are more processed vocals here, and some more electro synths. They're more subtle here, which makes them acceptable.The final song "A Blizzard Is Storming" in parts sounds like that level from Mario, you probably know the one I mean.
The album is consistent, inspired and packed throughout with distinctive melodies and hooks. It is less "pop" orientated that previous Sirenia albums, with more interesting and varied song structure while still retaining a catchy and accessible quality. In all honesty I had become tired of sub-par symphonic/gothic metal recently, but this album has managed to restore my faith in the genre. 9/10