Artist: Arven
Title: Music Of Light
Genre: Epic / Melodic / Goth Metal
Release Date: 23rd September 2011
Label: Massacre Records
Album Review
ARVEN is a band that except the drummer is comprised of female members forging their own way with their vision of what Epic Melodic Metal can be. They are releasing a collection of songs under the banner of ‘Music Of Light’, entwining their vision with touches of medieval and classical music. They present these as contradictions, and they’re not wrong. Although fusing together well, there is a feeling of juxtaposing, take second song ‘On Flaming Wings’, fierce riffs contrasted with the softness of the vocal. Carina Hanselmann’s voice goes especially well with the symphonic context throughout. ‘Raise Your Cups’ evokes the medieval undertones; whilst the following ‘My Dear Friend’ brings in the classical influences (the piano parts are especially wonderful). ‘World Of Hatred’ shows how wrong anyone would be to take in prejudice to judge them, there is no “female sentimentality” i.e. music reflecting women as being soft and delicate flowers unable to withstand harsh wind on their own, this kicks ass whilst still retaining essential femininity.
I have enjoyed this song and the following (and passionate) one ‘Dark Red Desire’ especially from this aspect and the fact how they represent the Epic position within their style. Medieval is where I like them the most and best sample would be ‘Midwinter Nights’. It’s a great and strong song, which also represents their expressiveness truly well. ‘Till Death Do Us Apart’ marries both classical and medieval influences with the flute and operatic approach to vocals and to music also, the piano coming in and out is a grand touch too. As a song it is richly composed and performed - it just has a lot to offer and I’d take it as a showcase of what this band can do and achieve. They are very “together” and put a lot of effort in what they’re doing. On the whole this is a very enjoyable album with passionately performed music and a promise of possessing its own personality even more in the future.
Tracklist
01. Music Of Light - 4:21
02. On Flaming Wings - 4:51
03. Raise Your Cups - 4:29
04. My Dear Friend - 7:02
05. World Of Hatred - 5:20
06. Dark Red Desire - 4:13
07. Midwinter Nights - 5:02
08. Till Death Do Us Apart - 5:53
09. Ruined Castle - 4:04
10. A Stranger's Story - 6:30
Line-up
Carina Hanselmann – vocals
Anastasia Schmidt – guitar, songwriting
Ines Thomé – guitar
Lisa Marie Geiß – bass
Lena Yatsula – piano
Till Felden – drums
Websites
http://www.myspace.com/arvenband / http://www.arvenmusic.com
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Total: 8 / 10
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