Genre: Gothic Metal, Pop, Rock, Symphonic Metal
Label: Candlelight Records
Oh Sarah. You look angrier in your promo pictures for this album, but you’re still just as gorgeous sounding as the Angtoria album, and your work with Cradle of Filth. I’m so glad I got to hear this.
Those that don’t know Sarah Jezebel Deva, she’s been the female vocals on all the CoF albums, and has had a successful album with her band Angtoria. And now she’s going (mostly) solo, with friends playing the music but it’s all her pretty much. And man does it show her voice’s range. She goes from sounding like Siouxie Sioux to… well, Sarah Jezebel Deva.
And the album itself is not really a genre specific album, hopping around a little with more rock-influenced songs, and epic sounding stuff too, with some poppy elements, and a cover of Meredith Brook’s “Bitch”, which I really like. I’m definitely a fan. My favorite songs are “The Devil’s Opera”, “Your Wonderful Chair”, and “Bitch”.
I agree with Chase on this album, the songs definitely do stick with you after you’ve listened to them. Very catchy, very good.
8.5 out of 10.
Sarah Jezebel Deva on MySpace.
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Genre: Gothic Metal
Label: Napalm Records
Tristania have been around for fifteen years or so now with Rubicon being their sixth LP, and understandably they’ve had some hype with this new album. I’ve been excited to hear it after what I’ve heard of it, and now that I have heard it, it didn’t live up to the hype in my eyes.
The slower, more melancholy riffs are not as present, and where they are present they don’t have the same impact, the operatic vocals are not as present, and ultimately they have taken up a sound that is no longer what the leader of the gothic metal genre should have, but a follower. I should make special mention of “The Passing”, the fourth track, however. It sounds more like classic Tristania, with a slower riff, some crunchy fast parts, but a decidedly unfortunate lack of death growls. The violin performed by Pete Johansen (who hasn’t been with Tristania for ten years) is also a great addition to the song.
In the end though, “The Passing” is not enough to keep Rubicon flowing. I’ll stick with Viveynne, Trail of Tears and Sirenia for my gothic metal fix for now.
5 out of 10.
Tristania on MySpace.
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Genres: Gothic Metal, Symphonic Metal
Label: Napalm Records
Edenbridge have been around forever, and this is my first time hearing these Austrians. And to be honest, this isn’t my thing. I can tell it’s really good, as in the people who are in the band are extremely talented, but I just personally am not liking it much.
The guitar riffs and Sabine Edelsbacher’s voice are the two main stars of the album, with heavy emphasis on the keyboards as well, but to me it’s all flowing into a somewhat generic sounding symphonic/gothic metal sound.
Maybe the hardcore fans of the genre will like it, but I’m finding it hard to.
5 out of 10.
Edenbridge on MySpace.
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Genre: Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Power Metal
Label: AFM Records
Oh my, oh my. What to call this? Good, for one, that’s obvious. But really, genre wise, what should I say? It’s got a ton of Power Metal, some Gothic Metal, Symphonic Metal, and Progressive Metal. And I think there’s even some thrash elements smacking my eardrum here.
How about this: Neverland bring a Progressive Symphogoth Power Metal to the listener that hearkens to Judas Priest-meets-Lacuna Coil-through-Metallica-covering-Iced Earth. Sound fucked up enough for you? I assure you, skeptic, that it works. Wonderfully. I’m genuinely liking Neverland a lot, and their awesome sound on Ophidia. It’s got Metalgasmic solos, a stunning rhythm section, and some seriously awesome traditional metal vocals.
If you call yourself a metalhead, you’ll like this. If you worship at the Temple of Trad, you’ll love it.
7.5 out of 10.
Neverland on MySpace.
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Genres: Black Metal, Depressive Black Metal, Shoegaze
Labels: Apparitia Recordings, Drakkar Productions
Celestia bring a cool sounding black metal to the table with Archenae Perfectii…, and it’s definitely more original than many two-person black metal bands’ output in recent years. Not content with trying to write Darkthrone or Mayhem clones, Celestia actually have something here that, although not a completely groundbreaking new sound, is genuinely solid and very much their own.
I can hear elements of their fellow countryman Neige’s project Alcest in it, as well as touches of Norwegian and Swedish black metal, some punk and classic metal, and even some gothic metal, all tossed together and mixed up nicely. Add in the fact that there is some production going on rather than just putting some lo-fi shit to tape, you’ve got a nice listen too.
7 out of 10.
Celestia on MySpace.
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