Artist: Imperia
Title: Secret Passion
Genre: Symphonic / Gothic Metal
Release Date: 25th March 2011
Label: Massacre Records
Album Review
IMPERIA wield the operatic and powerful vocal of Helena Iren Michaelsen (previously of TRAIL OF TEARS, also vocalist of ANGEL), beautiful symphonies and driving melodies set against contrast of surges of Heavy Metal, be it with a more classical, epic or modern parts of the genre, creating at once a fragile, vulnerable and yet strong, visceral feel of the music, but these components are brought out in a way that they will only remind one of NIGHTWISH. The band has been around since 2004 though it has changed the line up since. The cornerstone reminds a passionate approach of Michaelsen, her lyrics searching the deeply emotive themes, and her operatic forays and explorations. Previous to ‘Secret Passion’ they’ve released two albums, were included in several compilations and supported bands like... unsurprisingly... NIGHTWISH.
The album titled track has some wonderful Neo-folk touches to start it off with, a catchy refrain. ‘Fragile’ shows the band’s own potential away from trying to match NIGHTWISH, I’ve enjoyed it for its slightly oriental tinge to the strings at the beginning, the more classic Heavy Metal feel towards the end contrasting the more modern parts, the changes of tempo, the intensity of the song. It’s easily a best song of the album. Its opposite ‘Suicide’ repeats the song bursting out of Neo-folk, but the vocal is here truly far dramatic, quite over the top, one gets the impression that they are trying to deal with the subject seriously, but the result is more comical, the dominance of the sound over the clarity of lyrics, makes one unsure if they’re trivialising it on purpose or just failed to find the right way to convey the song. I will mention another highlight here, ‘My Sleeping Angel’, which is stripped down to just a piano and clean male vocal, contrasting Micheaelson’s. It’s a heartfelt lullaby to a child, filled with adoration and love. Above all, it’s another song that feels more authentic. The bonus track ‘Mistress’ has some nice techno touches and is danceable and enjoyable song.
If you are impatient for ‘Imaginarium’ to be released by NIGHTWISH next year, you might like to listen to this NIGHTWISH-like band to shorten the waiting in the interim. I would have wished for IMPERIA to develop their own potential (that is clearly there) to a bigger extent.
Tracklist
01. Touch Of Your Hand – 4.33
02. Secret Passion – 5.28
03. Fragile – 3.42
04. Out Of Sight – 4.11
05. Let Down – 5.56
06. Violence – 4.44
07. Like Rain – 4.32
08. Suicide – 4.11
09. Hold On – 4.09
10. Greed – 5.27
11. Missing It All – 5.27
12. My Sleeping Angel – 3.41
Line-up
Helena Iren Michaelsen – vocals
Jan Örkki Yrlund – guitars
SteveWolz – drums
Gerry Verstreken – bass
Websites
http://www.helena-michaelsen.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/imperiaband
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 9
Total: 8 / 10
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