APOCALYPTICA: Shadowmaker (MELODIC METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

If its quality was not questioned, "7th Symphony" (2010) seemed however to mark the end of a cycle for Apocalyptica. Indeed, the formula of inviting different singers to perform some of the Finnish quartet's compositions clearly appeared to be in danger of turning sour if it were to be renewed again. As it also posed serious organisational problems for the tours, Eicca Toppinen and his band preferred to take a break to take time to reflect on their career, a break only interrupted by the project paying homage to Wagner and translated on record by the album "Wagner Reloaded - Live In Leipzig" (2013). In the end, the simplest solution was chosen, namely to hire a full-time vocalist, with American Franky Perez being recruited to transform the band into a quintet.

Without representing a radical change of artistic direction, this evolution has however allowed Apocalyptica to find a new momentum that should boost its career, especially since with the production of Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighter, Deftones, Mastodon), the cellos are back whereas they sounded more like big guitars on the previous studio opus. This is noticeable in the introduction 'I-III-V Seed Of Chaos', the beginning of a funeral march that will end on the last 3 atmospheric minutes of a 'Dead Man's Eyes' resembling the disappearance of a silhouette on a twilight horizon. In the meantime, the tempos and moods will have been varied but will be united by a melancholy typical of these Scandinavian lands, a formula that the Helsinki cellists' formation has been depositary of for several years.

And it is one of the feats of this new offering that manages to regain its momentum while keeping its foundations strengthened since 3 albums. We find the alternation of vocal titles and instrumental pieces with a Franky Perez that surprises the listener by offering a breathtaking variety of interpretation. Efficient and catchy on a 'Cold Blooded' calibrated to make a new hit, leaving the suffering oozing from a 'Slow Burn' flayed alive, showing extreme delicacy on 'Hole In My Soul' or 'Sea Song (You Waded Out)' and its haunting chorus, or spitting out its rage on 'House Of Chains', its spectrum seems limitless. As for the Finns, they have found a creative verve that allows them to offer a few pearls combining instrumental tornadoes ('Shadowmaker') and variations of intensity with evocative power ('Riot Lights'). The emotional intensity hardly s for more than an hour, leaving the spectator hesitating between the darkness of shared feelings and the pleasure transmitted by the quality of the work.

By taking his time to give a sequel to '7th Symphony', Apocalyptica has achieved a perfectly mastered reappraisal, giving new life to his art without intrinsically modifying its identity. Quite the contrary, since by rediscovering the sound of his instruments, he achieves to regain his sound identity and a reinvigorated inspiration. The quintet is now relaunching its career in the best possible way by opening up new perspectives. - Official website

APOCALYPTICA

SHADOWMAKER

ELEVEN SEVEN MUSIC

MELODIC METAL