Only Fate Remains: Breathe

It is no surprise that Gothic Metal band Only Fate Remains hail from The Netherlands, as it is a nation which seems to specialize in bands playing keyboard infused Metal, with strident riffs and of course a young lady fronting the music. Falling neatly into the Evanessence style bracket, Only Fate Remains certainly know how to straddle the breach between brooding, melodic commercialism and intense, melancholic riff driven Metal. The likes of "Shallow Water", which is introduced with an infectious keyboard wash, before short, sharp, punching riffs take over, could easily transfer into the more commercial like acceptance that other bands in this genre have enjoyed. What also adds to OFR's Gothic brew is that singer Eva Kokken has the voice of a singer, rather than an opera performer and while she has no issues bringing emotion and gravitas to the songs, it is the easy manner with which her voice flows from the speakers that really sets up some of the best moments during Breathe.

Guitarist Michiel Van Veen and synth player Maarten Siem bring most of the musical thrust to this album, with uncluttered arrangements seeing the boisterous guitars and melodious keyboards being on occasion embellished by sudden piano chords and cleanly strummed guitar breaks. Brief and sparse though these interludes may be, they offer a change of focus and illustrate the sharp, but pleasantly un-flashy manner in which these songs have been put together. Unlike many of the over elaborating bands that clutter this genre, Only Fate Remains are more interested in ensuring that this reasonably short album makes a lasting impression through memorable, well crafted songs. Not exactly ground breaking, but then good music doesn't always have to be, and Only Fate Remains create good music.

Track Listing
1. Nightly Walks
2. Fall
3. Shallow Water
4. The Essence
5. The Real You
6. Cravings
7. Lost
8. Heal Me
9. Imprisoned

Added: November 28th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Only Fate Remains Web Site
Hits: 2162
Language: english

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