LUNATICA
Swiss metallers Lunatica return with fourth studio album, 'New Shores', which is their first release since signing to Napalm Records. A female fronted symphonic metal act, this is a release that you will either love or hate depending on your affinity towards this presently oversaturated subgenre. Lunatica's musical influences are rife throughout. Tracks such as mid-tempo number 'The Incredibles' reminds me of Within Temptation's post-'Mother Earth' output, perhaps also edging towards Sirenia's commercial stylistics, while the faster paced 'My Hardest Walk' with its quasi-prog rhythms and melodically epic structure has more in common with genre heavyweights Nightwish. There are also similarities to Austria's Edenbridge, particularly on second track 'Two Dreamers', although Lunatica never descend into said band's Disney-metal joviality. Rockier moments such as 'Farewell My Love' and 'Heart Of A Lion' inject a little variety into proceedings midway, proving they are able to compositionally transcend the subgenre with which they're so often associated. However, Lunatica are far from an original band. In fact, there is so much about this album I should inherently dislike although, for some reason, 'New Shores' is addictive listening. Perhaps it is the smooth tones of Andrea Dätwyler's powerfully delivered vocals, or maybe the highly polished production throughout. Whether 'New Shores' will provide fans of symphonic metal with merely a quick fix of formulaic tunes or prove to have greater enduring value, only time will tell. For now though, if you're a fan of After Forever, Within Temptation, Autumn, Edenbridge, Sirenia et al, and feel the desire to purchase 'more of the same', you will no doubt find Lunatica's latest album a worthy addition to your collection.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Napalm Records
Album
NEW SHORES
Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
50:06
RELEASE DATE:
2nd March 2009
TRACK LISTING
1) New Shores
2) Two Dreamers
3) The Incredibles
4) The Chosen Ones
5) Into The Dissonance
6) The Day The Falcon Dies
7) Farewell My Love
8) Heart Of A Lion
9) My Hardest Walk
10) Winds Of Heaven
11) How Did It Come To This
2) Two Dreamers
3) The Incredibles
4) The Chosen Ones
5) Into The Dissonance
6) The Day The Falcon Dies
7) Farewell My Love
8) Heart Of A Lion
9) My Hardest Walk
10) Winds Of Heaven
11) How Did It Come To This
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Switzerland
"...a release that you will either love or hate depending on your affinity towards this presently oversaturated subgenre."