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MIDNATTSOL
www.midnattsol.com
Fronted by Carmen Elise Espenęs, younger sister of Leaves' Eyes' Liv Kristine, Midnattsol return with their first album in three years, and their third to date since signing with Napalm Records back in 2005. Has it been worth the wait? Has it fuck. Well, maybe that's a tad harsh as 'The Metamorphosis Melody' is a well executed effort and while Midnattsol's metal contains a heavy dose of symphonic swagger courtesy of Daniel Fischer's keyboards, their sound is, ultimately, drowned in genericism and, dare I say, mediocrity. This is firmly rooted in the songwriting which is distinctly lacking in innovation or any real vitality. It's near hour long duration plods along as each song's unmemorable melodies seem to merge into one elongated theme that is never developed into anything verging on what I would construe as engaging in any way. Somewhat of a misleading album title then, it could be said; more like 'The Monophonic Melody' than 'The Metamorphosis Melody'. There are some redeeming features though and it's the balladic moments during 'The Tide', 'Goodbye' and 'My Re-creation' where Midnattsol really shine. Notably, Espenęs' vocals are at their best on these tracks, even injecting a degree of passion into her delivery on 'Goodbye' which is lacking elsewhere. It is moments such as this which push 'The Metamorphosis Melody' just above average, otherwise it's generic, unengaging symphonic metal all the way. Quite a disappointment, to be honest.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Napalm Records
Album
THE METAMORPHOSIS MELODY
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Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
56:17
RELEASE DATE:
25th April 2011
TRACK LISTING
1) Alva
2) The Metamorphosis Melody
3) Spellbound
4) The Tide
5) A Poet's Prayer
6) Forlorn
7) Kong Valemons Kamp
8) Goodbye
9) Forvandlingen
10) Motets Makt
11) My Re-creation
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Deu & Nor
"...each song's unmemorable melodies seem to merge into one elongated theme that is never developed into anything verging on what I would construe as engaging in any way."
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