CHAOS MAGIC
This new release, 'Chaos Magic', on Frontiers is the eponymously titled debut from a new solo project that's geared up to showcase the wonderful vocal talents of Chilean singer Caterina Nix. However, although billed as a "solo" venture in press blurb, it's actually a collaboration between Caterina and onetime Stratovarius guitarist/songwriter Timo Tolkki. With all music composed by Timo, the Finnish multi-instrumentalist is also responsible for all guitars, bass, and keyboards on the album, with Jami Huovinen taking on drumming duties. That said, this is very much a vocal-centric album as it's within Caterina's accomplished voice that songs come to life in all their melodic glory. That's not to take away from Timo's skilfully composed tunes - his symphonically adorned rock/metal arrangements also carry songs forward with their own melodic impetus and riff-driven/symphonic beauty. He's succeeded in composing the perfect sonic foundation for Caterina to exercise her vocals... and the contrary of this, Caterina's voice is the perfect accompaniment to breathe greater melodic life into Timo's music. And it's this South American's singing that engenders the true captivating heart of this album; one that beats with a greater passion than many others with a similar aesthetic.
Of course, Caterina is no stranger to collaborating with Timo, appearing as she did on two tracks for his sophomore Avalon album, 'Angels of the Apocalypse'. Before then, she fronted Santiago-based band Aghonya which spawned just one album in 2008, 'Oxygen'. It's fair to say, however, that she's largely an unknown name within the scene. Thus, 'Chaos Magic' is a prime opportunity on a well-respected label, alongside a revered composer, to truly make her mark. This talented lady certainly deserves a break as she oozes a ton of sincere passion through her vocal performance in every single song. Evidently singing from the heart, she conveys a wide range of sentiments with audible ease, such is the natural essence of her delivery. Inflection-wise, there are some nice little touches in the changing tonality of her voice. Her phrasing is simply brilliant too, as is her stylistic variance, managing as she does to alternate between rock, metal, classical, and pop deliveries - which makes more emphatic the changing modes of expression in Timo's compositions. And whether utilisng the soprano end of her voice or the demonstrating the poppier side, Caterina excels.
'Chaos Magic' is a very strong album from what has transpired to be a potent pairing of Caterina and Timo. It's makes for incredibly addictive listening and I sincerely hope that it forms the perfect springboard to elevate Caterina into music listeners' conscious en masse, for her talents indubitably warrant a wide audience. And I like this album so much that I'll even forgive Timo for the central melody he's kind of lifted from Kylie's 'Confide in Me' in 'Dead Memories'!
Of course, Caterina is no stranger to collaborating with Timo, appearing as she did on two tracks for his sophomore Avalon album, 'Angels of the Apocalypse'. Before then, she fronted Santiago-based band Aghonya which spawned just one album in 2008, 'Oxygen'. It's fair to say, however, that she's largely an unknown name within the scene. Thus, 'Chaos Magic' is a prime opportunity on a well-respected label, alongside a revered composer, to truly make her mark. This talented lady certainly deserves a break as she oozes a ton of sincere passion through her vocal performance in every single song. Evidently singing from the heart, she conveys a wide range of sentiments with audible ease, such is the natural essence of her delivery. Inflection-wise, there are some nice little touches in the changing tonality of her voice. Her phrasing is simply brilliant too, as is her stylistic variance, managing as she does to alternate between rock, metal, classical, and pop deliveries - which makes more emphatic the changing modes of expression in Timo's compositions. And whether utilisng the soprano end of her voice or the demonstrating the poppier side, Caterina excels.
'Chaos Magic' is a very strong album from what has transpired to be a potent pairing of Caterina and Timo. It's makes for incredibly addictive listening and I sincerely hope that it forms the perfect springboard to elevate Caterina into music listeners' conscious en masse, for her talents indubitably warrant a wide audience. And I like this album so much that I'll even forgive Timo for the central melody he's kind of lifted from Kylie's 'Confide in Me' in 'Dead Memories'!
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Frontiers Music
Album
CHAOS MAGIC
Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
52:56
RELEASE DATE:
3rd July 2015
TRACK LISTING
1) I'm Alive
2) Dangerous Game
3) One Drop of Blood
4) Seraphim
5) From the Stars
6) A Little Too Late
7) Passionflow
8) Dead Memories
9) Please Don't Tell Me
10) Right Now
11) The Point of No Return
2) Dangerous Game
3) One Drop of Blood
4) Seraphim
5) From the Stars
6) A Little Too Late
7) Passionflow
8) Dead Memories
9) Please Don't Tell Me
10) Right Now
11) The Point of No Return
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Chile/Finland
"Caterina's voice is the perfect accompaniment to breathe greater melodic life into Timo's music. And it's this South American's singing that engenders the true captivating heart of this album; one that beats with a greater passion than many others with a similar aesthetic."
