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(Imperia) - "Secret Passion"

Reviewed by:

"Dave Smith "- (Ravenheart Music)

Genre:
(Female Fronted) {Rock/Symphonic-Metal}-(Music)
Country:
Finland
Length:
57:00
Release Date:
3/25/11
Band Members: Helena Iren Michaelsen – vocals Jan Örkki Yrlund – guitars
  SteveWolz – drums Gerry Verstreken – bass
 
     
Track Listing: 1.)-Touch Of Your Hand – 4.33
9.)-Hold On – 4.09
  2.)-Secret Passion – 5.28
10.)-Greed – 5.27
  3.)- Fragile – 3.42 11.)- Missing It All – 5.27
  4.)- Out Of Sight – 4.11
12.)-My Sleeping Angel – 3.41
  5.)-Let Down – 5.56  
  6.)-Violence – 4.44  
  7.)-Like Rain – 4.32  
  8.)-Suicide – 4.11  

Review:

This is Finnish/Norwegian Gothic Metal Quartet Imperia's 3rd album, their last 'Queen of Light' being released nearly 4 years ago. Fronted by the awesome Norwegian lass Helena Iren Michaelsen, who sings in a variety of styles from deep emotional feelings to extreme operatic expressions, the music itself is full of vivacity, it is heavy, bombastic and orchestral, but it also contains elements of pure metal. The record consists of 12 songs and it was recorded in different studios in Germany, Belgium, Finland and Norway, the mix being done by Jacob Hansen in Denmark. The opening salvo of 'Touch Your Hand' and 'Secret Passion' fire out of the speakers like a turbo charged Rhino, with Helena on top form, and the band firing on all four cylinders aswell and excellent orchestration to boot. Of course this may be nothing new, but if it ain't broken, why fix it? 'Fragile' slows things down a bit with a Middle Eastern feel at times, while 'Out of Sight' is so catchy that it screams "play me on the radio". 'Let Down' is a slow but totally dynamic ballad featuring Tina Guo on cello. 'Violence' and the catchy 'Like Rain' (awesome chorus) are further Gothic Epic Metal tunes that blast out of your speakers and make you sit up and take notice. 'Suicide' is a heavy but quirky tune that has a brief bagpipe intro with Helena sounding a little like Kate Bush on acid at times:) 'Hold On' is another cool power ballad, with 'Greed' taking it up a notch or two with great choral interlude. 'Missing It All' and the piano led ballad 'My Sleeping Angel' (a duet with Oliver Philipps from Everon), end this album and to be honest, the quality does not slacken at all throughout the 60 minutes. A totally dynamic release. The digi-pak version by the way which is the one I am reviewing having 13 tracks, the bonus cut being the electro sounding and very danceable 'Mistress'. This album offers huge crossover potential in both the goth and metal scene and to be honest, and to my ears anyway easily betters their last release. I have to say that for fans of the genre, there is no way this record will disappoint. It gets released 25th March so put it on your shopping list..9.5/10(Dave)

 

 

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