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 : Rare Noise Records
Review by Luisa Mercier
In May 2010 The Mantra ATSMM finally released their debut after all the expectations built up by their promising EP “Rooms”. The full-length succeded in getting raving reviews both in Italy and abroad, confirming the band as one of the most important post-rock realities in a country where this genre is almost unknown. “Defeated Song” is a sophisticated, elegant, classy record opened by “Golden Mermaids”. This already is one of the highlights of the album and is opened by guitars and vocals, the voice of Adriana, a disturbed angel. The first single is the following “Septembers”, a bit more lively than the previous one, playful but always with a vein of melancholy. Last verses are in Italian. Again sad and nostalgic is “Mangrove” with a hint of electronics in the end. Adriana performance is quite emotional here, mixed with piano and synth. My personal favourite is “Blanca”, maybe one of the most complex songs on the album, but really you can perceive the vibration of every instrument, the quiet, the sadness, the sweetness. There are many emotions in this track, all to be discovered. Gothic, romantic mood is what we find in “Rooms” and it goes on the same atmosphere in “The Inner Season” which is decadent, gloomy, dissonant, while closing track “Lines of Fire Bless The Mountain” is warm, sweet, romantic. It is sad to see such a talented Italian band forced to find success abroad, but we Italians know how the scene works here, so I am happy that they found someone able to appreciate them in England (their label).
Rating - 70/100
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Interview by Connie Bach
Diva Suicide’s flavor is a constructed system of layers. It kind of reminds me of chocolate-covered pretzels, with the hard, solid guitar at its core.The layer of synthesized elements and sweet, emotional lyrics adds the “chocolate” in the equation. I feel I’m hearing undertones that call up the alternative music of the early nineties when I listen to “Scars”, Diva Suicide’s debut release.
Hello, Xs.
Hey hey :)The name Diva Suicide stems from a photo shoot you did. Would you tell me more about the career that led you to be the band’s singer?Singing is my passion and I have always been involved in bands and when I had the chance of joining Diva Suicide I jumped on it.As a singer, what inspires your lyrics?Depending on the song really. Sometimes personal situations and thoughts, sometimes just general things in life…In the past, you mentioned you are interested in animal rights activism. Do you intend to use your musical career to promote animal rights activism and how?
Yeah absolutely - I think it’s really important that bands support these causes. Music unites and makes people think. The more we are, the stronger and more able to change things. I’m delighted to see bands like London After Midnight and Undercover Slut promoting animal rights.
How has working in a home studio influenced the type of music and the relationships between band members?
Working in a home studio has its good and its bad things. On one hand, soundwise you can’t have 100% the final product you’d like to but of course it’s more comfortable to record there as you spend lots of hours so it feels like being home and you’ve got more time to experiment new solutions.
Sometimes it can be really hard work but at the end of the day it’s worth it cos’ the band is my life and even if we have to fight against lots of problems and sometimes some idiot we always get around and do what we wanna do at the end.
What do you personally enjoy doing in your free time? Any crafts, hobbies, or other musical side projects, or other pursuits?Links
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Independent Release
Review by Luisa Mercier
After two full-lengths and several single releases, Sleepthief is back with a new, beautiful official single, accompanied by a stunning video. For all of you, that still are not familiar with his music, Sleepthief is the project behind which hides the American producer Justin Elswick. His music is a soulful blending of electronica, Celtic influences, synth-pop, ambient and classical music. The new single features once again the distinctive vocals of Jody Quine (known for her work with Balligomingo) over an emotional layered track that will leave you speechless. The song is inspired by the wish that all of us has experienced in life: the yearning to find someone who could love us and understands us, but not always is meant to happen. So, it is quite bittersweet, melancholic, sad, though soaring and uplifting also thank you to Jody Quine amazing work on backing vocals. I think they add a lot more to the whole atmosphere. Music, as usual, is thoroughly crafted, with lots of layers starting from electronica to strings and piano. What makes Sleepthief music stands out in my opinion is his ability in expressing feelings and conveying it to his audience. It is not by chance that all of us are always so moved by his songs. I warmly invite you to give this song a try and, if you like it, to the rest of his discography too. The single is out 11th June along with three remixes by Justin and his collaborator Israel Curtis (Psychosomatic Mix), Blue Stone and DjMikel.
Rating - 80/100
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Independent Release
Review by Tony Cannella
Magdalen Graal is quite an accomplished and talented vocalist hailing from the U.K. She plays an avant-garde mix of metal and Gothic with elements of electronica as well. She is backed by a stellar line-up of musicians that can be heard on her self-titled debut release. The opening track “Behind You” is a good indication of what to expect throughout this 32-minute, 10-track release. The vocals of Magdalen are quite impressive as she demonstrates a great range throughout the CD and her style - which is on the operatic side of things - really gives the songs an added dimension. The third track “Together” is one of the highlights with it’s up-tempo style and more great vocals. Other highlights include: “There’s No End”, “Incredible” and the closing number “Moonlight Brightness” which is a beautiful piano ballad and ends things on a wistful note. Piano is featured prominently throughout the CD. Overall, I found myself enjoying this CD more and more with each listen. Maybe it could have benefited from a better production, but there is no denying the quality of the material. The CD is currently available as a free download on the official web site.
Rating - 75/100
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Label : Lion Music Records
Review By Tony Cannella
The Swedish band Xanima were originally formed in 2007 by Pelle Handen and female vocalist Jade Ell. The band have been compared to Evanescence, Enigma and Kate Bush and have just issued their debut CD “Inside Warrior”. I have to admit that I was a bit taken aback when I first started listening to the CD, but it only took me until about halfway through the second song to realize that this is really cool. The above mentioned comparisons are pretty accurate, but the band adds their own groove and vibe to the material that is presented here.The rock solid groove of the opener “The Deed and the Damage” sets things in motion on the right foot. It’s a bit of a subdued track, but it is a good song and the high point are definitely the smooth vocal delivery of Jade Ell. “Caged” is next and it has a pop feel to it, with a harder edge - I could really see this coming out as a single, it has a definite up-tempo feel to it and this was one of the highlights for me. “Poltergeist” keeps things going and there is a dark vibe that goes with the song. Other highlights include: “In The Lens”, “Soaring”, “The Essence of Being” and “Exodus”. Xanima includes some really great vocal harmonies throughout “Inside Warrior”. The vocals of Jade Ell are very strong and at times she reminds me a bit of Shirley Manson of Garbage. Xanima are a band that came as a bit of a shock to me (in a positive way). Overall, “Inside Warrior” is a very impressive debut that is quite different from many the current crop of female fronted metal bands. The band are reportedly working on album number 2, it should be interesting to follow the progression of this promising new band. A solid debut.
Rating - 80/100
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