SIRENIA: Riddles, Ruins & Revelations (MELODIC METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

We thought that Sirenia had found its balance with "The Seventh Life Path", but one year later with "Dim Days of Dolor", the line-up was upset: departure of Ailyn (replaced by Emmanuelle Zoldan), Jan Erik Soltvedt (guitars) and Jonathan A. Perez (drums). But still combative, the band continued as a duo (Morten taking over all the instruments), then integrated Nils Courbaron (T.A.N.K.) on guitar and Michael Brush (Magic Kingdom) on drums. This new crew proposes "Riddles, Ruins & Revelations" supported by Emmanuelle's superb voice... The album of continuity or change?

"Riddles, Ruins & Revelations" takes up and refines the basics of the style. The atmospheres are disturbing as on the introduction of 'Addiction No. 1' or 'Passing Seasons', soft and dressed with moving orchestrations ('We come to Ruins'), illuminated with beauty ('Passing Seasons') or simply mysterious ('Downwards Spiral'). Emmanuelle's powerful voice is the essential element that carries the compositions while Nils Courbaron's rhythmic and groovy guitar is the spice that enhances the flavor of the songs. Thus the riff of 'Towards An Early Grave' is in the lineage of Kamelot or Epica, while the riffs often contrast with the symphonic ornamentations ('Passing Seasons', 'We Come to Ruins'). Finally the shred guitar passages add an extra interest to the record. Those of 'Beneath The Midnight Sun', 'Towards an early Grave' hit the bull's eye, the sweeping of 'We come to Ruins' surprises and attracts the ear, while the beautifully clear passage of 'Downwards Spiral' amazes and captivates.

However, even if Sirenia tries shyly to get out of the traced way, he seems to blindly follow in the footsteps of Nightwish, Epica and others. Thus even with a touch of modernity in the production, and despite synthetic rhythms, ethnic rhythms, deep grunt voices worthy of Orphanage or meditative religious choirs, the group struggles to differentiate from the other bands.

"Riddles, Ruins & Revelations" is then a beautiful album full of qualities with superb vocals, grandiose choirs, technical guitars, silky orchestrations but it would have deserved more risk taking to become a must-have... - Official website

SIRENIA

RIDDLES, RUINS & REVELATIONS

NAPALM RECORDS

MELODIC METAL