Amberian Dawn
takes a step forward with 'The Clouds of Northland Thunder'; a tighter, better
crafted and much more mature album than last year's debut album "River
of Tuoni", which in its own terms wasn't a bad album at all.
First class, fast-paced symphonic power metal, again not that remote from what
bands like Nightwish, Krypteria and Within Temptation play, but this time they
have put a big stamp of their own on the songs, and delivers an impeccable
performance, firing on all cylinders on twelve great songs.
Focus point is once more the excellent voice of classical trained soprano front
siren
Heidi
Parvainen, who on one hand gives the band an edge over much of the competition,
but on the other band, might be the
biggest obstacle for them to move forward because her style is so
unique. Not that her singing isn't diverse, it's just that everything is
high-pitched and done in the upper regions of the spectre, surely not everyone's
cup of tea. But I am a sucker for this style, and Heidi is surely one of the
most accomplished vocalists out there, just listen to her phrasings in a song
like 'Lionheart', breathtaking, a song that shows her full range and talent.
Amberian Dawn
is clearly one of the frontrunners of the second wave of female fronted
symphonic metal bands, and 'The Clouds of Northland Thunder' should move them
into the Champions League with ease, all that is needed is the right amount of
luck and a solid push from the record label.
Go get, now!
