It
is great that there are bands that keep the spirit of the old RUNNING WILD alive, after
the titular lost it. ELVENSTORM are in this family
from their foundation in 2008. Because of the exhaustion of the style or
because of some other reasons the French present their new album three years
after their debut.
The
quartet with front lady had grown up musically. The songs are faster, and the
successfully implemented classical tone approaches in metal are considerably
structured. The aspiration of galloping rhythm made the release dynamic but
it also made the new album a bit monotonous. The voice of Laura Ferreux has always possessed a female range. Although the
speeding of the tempo and the battle lyrics the guys had left the vocalist to
unfold in a melodic direction, that comes to me too much pop. Compared to the
debut the production has a very high quality. This makes the instrumental
part good, but leaves a precise but weak voice supported by effects. The
melodic solos and the refined introductions build the lace decoration of the
eleven songs.
Speed,
classic heavy metal, and strong connection to RUNNING WILD;
this is what the French offer. The cover song of SAVAGE GRACE and
the duet with Marta Gabriel (CRYSTAL VIPER) implement a
pleasant diversity in the album. However, it could be better if „Where Angels Dare
to Die“, to be left with its original lyrics and
title of „Call from the Grave“ of BATHORY.
In this case the French band would have an enriched interpretation. I am
afraid that the composing in ELVENSTORM remains problematic as a technology,
although the achieved high standard for sound. Traditionally the band has a remarkable
artwork.
