NeraNature: Foresting Wounds

Foresting Wounds is the debut solo release from NeraNature which is basically a solo project by Polish singer Nera of the Polish extreme metal act Darzamat. Rather surprisingly Nera has used this album to show a side to her voice and music that is remarkably far removed from her current band, with an album which is much more voice and atmosphere based. Solid riffs and steady drums lead the music through Foresting Wounds, but the overall vibe floats in a manner which is less intense and ferocious than the surrounding in which this talented vocalist usually operates. Nera herself describes this album as "Atmospheric Rock" and while I would add the words progressive or symphonic to that list, I have to say that her description is pretty accurate. The songs tend to fall into the mid-paced category, with solid, yet seductive atmospheres created to form the basis that Nera weaves her stunning vocals over.

Now if I was to aim a couple of criticisms at this album, it would be that there isn't quite enough variation from song to song and if digested in one sitting it can struggle to completely hold the interest from start to finish. Things do vary with the more in your face "Broken", where a little more urgency is injected into proceedings, or the even more sparsely arranged "Someone" where the vocal sits front and centre in a deep and dark setting. All the way through the album, Nera really does put in a stunning vocal performance and for much of this disc it is her voice that carries some well crafted, if not hugely innovative songs. Without her full, deep tones it could be suggested that this album really would lack any lasting punch. In fact so strong is Nera's voice, I would also suggest that it doesn't really need all the reverb and other effects that consistently surround it, which whilst not overpowering can grate on the nerves on occasion.

If you are looking for an album that combines sedate, almost morose guitar themes with a sumptuously full vocal performance, then I've no doubt that you will lose yourself completely in a release all about moods and emotions. I'm not convinced that Foresting Wounds is quite the finished article, but there is enough shown here to suggest that NeraNature is a band capable of maturing into something really innovative, making them well worth keeping tabs on.

Track Listing
01. Shattered
02. Precious Now
03. The World Is Not Enough
04. Woman's Soul
05. Oblivion
06. Broken
07. Disappointed
08. Some Air
09. Scar
10. Before
11. Dormant
12. Someone

Added: July 20th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: NeraNature
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Language: english

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