In my opinion this album is at least as good as the one that is
going to be album of the month February (already given 100 points), but I can't
give it a rating of 100 points, because I'm sure there will be albums this year
to top this one. Their 2012 album 'Blind' was one of the
best orchestral symphonic albums that year and I think they repeat that with
this 2015 album. Still influences of Nightwish, Epica, Tristania, Within
Temptation, Therion and Lacuna Coil form the base of the songs.
On
this album there is a new singer (former actress) Marie Rouyer, she is able to
sing in different styles, from high to low, opera and a bit rouch. This new album
sounds even more bombastic and theatrical than the predecessor and can be best
listened to on high volume or with a headphone to enjoy all the specific
elements. I don't know if they used a real professional choir or philharmonic
orchestra, but it sure sounds like it. Sometimes mighty orchestral music
with opera pieces can become a bit too cheesy, but Whyzdom keeps the heavy parts
(especially the guitarsound is heavy) and with the necesarry variety it all
stays interesting. Perhaps not as heavy as Epica, but heavy enough to be
interesting for fans of this band. "Where Are the Angels" is the only track not
really typical Whyzdom style, it has a kind of progressive touch.
With the new album this French band shows that they are one of the best in this
genre and especially because of the mighty orchestral parts. There are even
parts that remind me of Dimmu Borgir and of course Therion and Nightwish aren't
far away either.
If you like big
choirs, opera singing parts, mighty orchestral elements and this all with good
female vocals and a heavy powermetal base, you have to listen to this one.
For
fans of the bands I mentioned above.
