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"Here is, on a background of melodic symphonic metal, a good album based on a barely unknown but promising singer, and compositions more pleasant than original."
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3/5
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When talking about symphonic metal with female vocals, the comparison with Nightwish comes up almost every time. And it's not necessarily good because few bands can match the Finns. Fortunately, not all of them have this ambition like Ad Infinitum, which doesn't box in the same category. Their first album "Chapter I: Monarchy" is obviously the first part of a suite whose depth is still unknown.
However, the first album of the Swiss doesn't only represent the stereotypical genre. Their music is articulated on a traditional metal made of percussive rhythmics, with few heavy riffs, but enhanced by many keyboards and symphonic arrangements. Without much originality, the music has however the merit to be perfectly mastered and the intelligent compositions with variations of ambiences and arrangements are clever enough to give a listening pleasure ('See You In Hell'), and this, all along the album.
The singing side is the most exciting. So, of course, Melissa Bonny's voice (Rage Of Light) isn't extraordinary, but the sublime half-breed does the job, and rather well thanks to a very pleasantly soft timbre and an impeccable voice placement. The velvet of her voice expresses particularly on the calmer passages ("See You In Hell", "Fire And Ice") while her few growls reminding those of Angela Gossow (ex-Arch Enemy), skillfully scattered, increase the general interest of the opus while bringing a welcome variety. Her melodic mastery is well highlighted by efficient refrains ('Live Before You Die', Marching On Versailles') that she investigates without batting an eyelid. Efficiency, when you've got us ... !
For a first album, the effort is to be saluted in terms of production, interpretation and homogeneity, even if the compositions lack a bit of depth. This first chapter necessarily calls for others that will be awaited with attention as the combo's margin of progression seems important even though all the bases are there. This "Monarchy" will be appreciated by the fans of the genre as well as by those of melodic metal towards which the combo is clearly leaning. An encouraging production which, if it won't leave an indelible mark, has the merit of offering an easily accessible and successful melodic metal. To be listened to. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Infected Monarchy
02. Marching On Versailles
03. Maleficient
04. See You In Hell
05. I Am The Storm
06. Fire And Ice
07. Live Before You Die
08. Revenge
09. Demons
10. Tell Me Why
11. See you In Hell (Acoustic)
12. Tell Me Why (Acoustic)
13. Marching On Versailles (Instrumental)
14. See You In Hell" (Instrumental)
15. This Is Halloween
LINEUP:
Adrian Thessenvitz: Guitares
Jonas Asplind: Basse
Melissa Bonny: Chant
Niklas Müller: Batterie
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(1) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
4.5/5 (2 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.5/5 (2 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH AD INFINITUM
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT AD INFINITUM
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