INFOS : webzine@femmemetalwebzine.net
Webzine dedicated to the metal band fronted by girls. We also like ambient,darkwave,rock & electronic music.
INFOS : webzine@femmemetalwebzine.net
Webzine dedicated to the metal band fronted by girls. We also like ambient,darkwave,rock & electronic music.
Label : Napalm Records
Review by Disgraced & Tony Cannella
This year 2011 marks also the return of Austrian symphonic metal lovers Visions of Atlantis with their new album “Delta”, after their beloved, previous opus “Trinity” which dates back to 2007. Two new important changes in the line-up must be immediately noted, since they had been those most responsible for the trademarks you could recognize on “Trinity”: ex-vocalist Melissa Ferlaak (renowned for her previous experience in Aesma Daeva, now in Echoterra) and ex-guitarist Wolfgang “Wops” Koch got married and moved to the United States, not without raising polemics among fans and ex-bandmembers. Being Melissa Ferlaak one of the best opera singers adopted by heavy metal (she owns real degrees in classical studies which are pretty clear in her vocal deiverance but nonetheless she doesn’t sound like a mere opera freak stolen from the theatre) many fans were suspicious about the possible replacement, while it should be noted that Koch contributed a lot to Visions of Atlantis slight change to a more symphonic edge, leaving apart their more power-ish sides. So, in 2009 the band recruited Joanna Nieniewska (ex-Illuminata and girlfriend of one of the guys) as new vocalist but unfortunately the search wasn’t over because after few months Nieniewska had to leave due to health problems. That lead the band to the cradle of the Mediterranean Sea and classic culture, where they found the Greek singer Maxi Nil, who had previously worked with Elysion and with Moonspell as a live session member (as well as with On Thorns I Lay for a still unreleased album). Then old guitarist Werner Fiedler, who had left in 2005, came on board again and the band saw a last change when Mario Lochert replaced Michael Koren on bass in 2010. Finally the band was ready to enter the studio! And the result is now here in our hands. First of all and first thing that I think would come into everyone’s mind when listening to “Delta” is that they somehow brought back some of their power metal infleunces they had mostly on their debut “Eternal Endless Infinity”. I also think that is the most important feature we find here, since it allows the band to keep their distance from the huge cauldron of symphonic and orchestral acts out there - be it clear that the symphonic elements are all still here but in my opinion there’s an overall power metal flavour, thanks also to the perfect, crystalline production which allows you to catch also some retro feeling in the melodies. And don’t worry: although some solutions they adopted might me compared with what Nightwish did on their “Century Child” album, we aren’t in danger of embarassing “similar” moments as it happened on their debut (the band itself admitted it was hugely inspired, so to say, by the Finnish band). The album alternates catchier and heavier tracks one after the other and I must say that generally speaking the songs seem to have more personality than those on “Trinity”: first single “New Dawn” (which they also shot a video for) starts with a fast and epic approach by Maxi who is then quickly joined by her male counterpart Mario for a very catchy chorus that anyway doesn’t let the song lose its heaviness. Second song “Memento” deserves a special mention since I think it’s one of the best ones of this record: epic, fast, symphonic, with changes in tempo and atmosphere…The melodic ouverture from 4:50 on will simply make you melt down thanks to some very inspired vocal lines by the Greek! No wonder this song is among those new ones they chose to play during the latest tour together with Vexillum and the immortal Rhapsody of Fire. Also male singer Mario Plank reserves some memorable moments for himself, such as in the evocative “Conquest of Others” where he also lets out some more extreme shouts. Even though he has never been - and probably is not - an oustanding singer, that doesn’t mean he can’t be a good one, which actually is. Also his English pronunciation, which many had to complain about in the past, got better and better. Guitars pla of course an important role here, driving the melodies on songs like the hard opener “Black River Delta”, “New Dawn”, “Where Daylight Fails” or “Elegy of Existence” so those fond of guitar solos won’t lack their daily bread here, as ong as they don’t expect long, highly technical heavy metal solos of course. ;) Obviously such a record cannot miss its melodic ballad, which here takes place at number 8 with “Reflection”. Sadly I must say that “Reflection” fails in becoming the usually haunting, siren-like tune we might expect due to a too poor melody and a vocal interpretation by Maxi that falls rapidly into mediocrity. I had the pleasure to attend one of the first gigs with this line-up (minus Lochert on bass) at the 2009 Metalcamp in Tolmin, Slovenia and although the clear inexperience with the material live-wise Maxi did an oustanding job, granting new life to some songs like “Seven Seas” for example, showing she could easily handle both “normal” and classical-like vocals; so, be sure they made a good strike hiring her! Just, this song doesn’t go anywhere and leaves you quite indifferent, ending up as a filler. Final track, after the interlude “Sonar” is the epic “Gravitate towards Fatality”, which just features all the elements found before, good blended together and another, impressive demonstration of how good Mario’s and Maxi’s voices go together - a feature I have forgotten to say before. Only negative note is the very end of the song, which comes quite suddenly while I think such tracks need a more “fading” ending to let the listener dream along the epicness they express. I really hope Visions of Atlantis will continue on this road (perhaps regaining more and more power elements) and that they won’t be far from the scenes for a too long time now as I’m very willing to see what they’ll bring forth next. As for now, very good guys!
Rating - 73/100
It is hard to believe that it has been four years since the Austrian Symphonic Metal band Visions of Atlantis released their great “Trinity” album. Now, after some line-up changes, which have been well, documented the band return with their new singer in Greece’s Maxi Nil and their long awaited, eagerly anticipated 4th album “Delta”. Of course for fans of the band, it was sad to see Melissa Ferlaak depart the band after her awesome performance on “Trinity”, but on “Delta” Maxi Nil does a great job in making her transition seamless. “Delta” features 10-songs and 43-minutes worth of music and Visions of Atlantis’s Symphonic Metal Sound remains intact. The up-tempo, bouncy opening track “Black River Delta” starts things off and is a fine introduction for Maxi. Of course the clean vocals of Mario Plank are present as well as the two vocalist trade off, which is something that VoA has been known for. The next track “Memento” quickly became my favorite. It starts off slow, dark and moody before the tempo picks up and displays a groove running through the song that is just so damn infectious and inspiring. Also, Maxi turns in an outstanding vocal performance on this one. Her style is not as operatic as Melissa Ferlaak’s (of course comparisons are inevitable), but she can go there if needed to like on “Memento”. “New Dawn” is a fast paced track that features a great chorus that will be stuck in your head long after you’ve heard it for the first time. One of the heavier tracks is “Conquest of Others” which sees Mario handling the majority of the vocals on this one with Maxi lending support on the chorus. On the ballad “Reflection”, Maxi is given the chance to shine. Other highlights include, but are not limited to: “Twist of Fate”, “Elegy of Existence” and the closer “Gravitate towards Fatality”. I am not prepared to say I like “Delta” better than “Trinity” (my favorite VoA album) but it is certainly a worthy follow up and one that I would imagine that their fan base should be quite pleased with. After 4-albums and 3 female singers, here is hoping that Maxi Nil will stick and the band will continue to churn out great music for years to come. I can’t tell you how excited I am to have Visions of Atlantis back and with “Delta” they have made a triumphant return.
Rating - 90/100
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Label : Blinding Force Recordings
Review by Tony Cannella
Active since 2007, the Minneapolis based Symphonic Metal Band Echoterra released their debut album “The Law of One” in 2009 with previous singer Suvi Virtanen. Following her departure the band were joined by ex-Visions of Atlantis singer Melissa Ferlaak for the “In Your Eyes” EP in 2010. That brings us to the present and the first full-length to feature Melissa Ferlaak, “Land of the Midnight Sun”. The pounding “After the Rain” opens the 48-minute album and Melissa Ferlaak once again proves that she is in fine voice and sounding better than ever. The next song, “The Best is Yet to Come” starts off with an almost thrashy pace, before settling into a nice mid-tempo groove the rest of the way. Next we have “Midnight Sun” which the band ups the pace a few notches, but still manages to make it a melodic, forceful tune. “The Ghost Within My Heart” has an angelic kind of opening and then continues in a mid-tempo range. “Unleash the Flood” is one of the heavier ones and sees Melissa really delivering one hell of a performance, she does on the whole album, but this one really stood out for me. Other highlights include: “All the Lies”, “A Different Story”, “Welcome My Friend of Misery” and “From the Gutter to the Throne”. Fans, who loved their previous efforts, will undoubtedly jump for joy over the new Echoterra. With Melissa Ferlaak firmly entrenched as vocalist “Land of the Midnight Sun” succeeds on so many levels.
Rating - 85/100
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Label : Blinding Force Recordings
Review By Tony Cannella
When it was announced that ex-Visions of Atlantis vocalist Melissa Ferlaak joined the ranks of Echoterra my interest in this project immediately piqued since Melissa sang on the great VOA release “Trinity”. Having said that, you can take nothing away from the bands previous singer Suvi Virtanen who did such an amazing job on the bands debut release “The Law of One”. Now the band are back with their new singer (Melissa) and a new drummer (Adam Sagan) and a new EP titled “In Your Eyes”, featuring a number of re-recorded songs with the bands new line-up.The first three songs from “In Your Eyes” are re-recorded from “The Law of One” debut. The new line-up has seemingly breathed new life into already great songs. Melissa’s emotional vocal delivery remains in tact and all of that can be heard on “In Your Eyes”, “A Tear of Her Heart” and the highlight for me “Say, Try, Lie, Die”. I am not sure if the final two songs are just previously unreleased or brand-new songs but “Bear Mountain” and the closing instrumental “Echoterra Overture” fit in well with the other material. It is great hearing Melissa’s beautiful vocals once again and after listening to “In Your Eyes” we can only hope that this version of Echoterra remains in tact for years to come and we get a full-length release of new material soon. When all is said and done, Echoterra have a great opportunity at being a huge success in the world of female fronted symphonic power metal.
Rating - 89/100
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Label : Blinding Force Recordings
Review By Tony Cannella
It is always fun to check out new bands - especially ones that make a good impression. The metal landscape is so vast these days with so many different styles and presentations, with the realm of symphonic power metal becoming an especially crowded sub-genre. Echoterra is one of the newest members in the world of symphonic metal and they feature a group of talented members who are past and present members Pyramaze, Therion and Avian, not a bad pedigree. Their debut release is titled “The Law of One” and it is a very promising first step for this band to take.The intro track “Manifest Eternity” is 2-minutes that set a definite mood and feel, before the band launches into the track “The Will of Life”. After this song, there is no denying the talent of the band, especially keyboardist Jonah Weingarten (of Pyramaze), but the entire band holds their own. Vocalist Suvi Virtanen (ex-Therion) provides an operatic presence to the songs and the guitar playing of Yan Leviathan is really energetic and emotive. “In Your Eyes” is next and it starts with a orchestral intro before really getting into the song and just soaring on the wings of Suvi’s great operatic vocals, a great melodic track that is a definite highlight. “A Tear of Her Heart”, “The Wind Surrounds You” and “To Live Again” keep things on track. Hands down my favorite track on the CD would have to be “Say, Try, Lie, Die”, just a great metal track that sees the band firing on all cylinders. “Beyond the Seven Seas” and “Water Falls” are two more highlights and the orchestral version of “Say, Try, Lie, Die” closes the CD. I’m not sure if Echoterra is just a one off or the band plans on recording more material in the future, I would hope that it would be the latter, because “The Law of One” features some pretty good material. All fans of female fronted symphonic, operatic metal should check this band out.
Rating - 85/100
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