|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Siren's Cry: Scattered Horizons
 Scattered Horizons is the debut album by female fronted Progressive Symphonic/Power Metal band Siren's Cry, and it made a powerful first impression on me. The style is quite unique, and comparisons could be made with Symphony X, Nightwish, Epica, Dream Theater, Serenity, and many others I'm sure. The instrumentalists demonstrate chops that are in the same league with the best Progressive Metal bands out there – changing compound time signatures abound, multiple instruments riffing in unison or at other times in complex layering, experimentation, and dizzyingly fast riffs. The style can be described as at times dark and gothic, theatrical and powerful, symphonic, surprising and exotic, clever and playful, and all together quite intriguing. And while the band gets quite technical and progressive at times, they also show a knack for writing catchy choruses that will plant a bug in your ear. And the progressive transitions between sections of songs can be quite surprising – in "Elegy of R'lyeh", the band breaks out into a jazz trio section, and in "Controversial Mind" at one point a little jam breaks out that reminds me of a blues-infiltrated Satriani Boogie.
My one and only critique of the album was that I noticed some production issues with the way the vocals were recorded, but the music was so well-crafted, and carefully, intricately composed and arranged that I felt that I had to give this album a very high rating regardless of this nit-picky detail. This band is definitely one to watch in the days to come and will be quite a contender in the Progressive Metal genre, I'm sure!
Track listing:
1. Introitus
2. S3V3N
3. Oratory & Sins
4. Elegy of R'lyeh
5. Draconian Spectrum
6. Cold Amber & Scalding Tears
7. Sahara Sagas Pt. I
I: Overture – Sands of Time
II: Beyond the Veil
III: The Unravelling
IV: Shahryār - The Great King
V: Astray
8. Serpents of War
9. Controversial Mind
Added: June 26th 2012
Reviewer: Geoff Glenister
Score:  
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 2534
Language: english
[  Printer Friendly Page ]
[  Send to a Friend ] |
|
[ Back to the Reviews Index | Post Comment ]
|
|
| » SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews: |
Siren's Cry: Scattered Horizons
Posted by Mark Johnson, SoT Staff Writer on 2013-08-08 11:57:31
My Score:
This is an excellent album full of powerful symphonic prog metal. Katie Joanne adds another powerful female vocal presence to the Austrian metal scene. Her vocals share the emotional ambience and ability to rise high and draw from below to create a rich mosaic of sound. That sound is accentuated by the power emanating from the guitars, keys and drums that roar in support behind her. Their lyrics and classical sound remind me of my favorite Austrian band Edenbridge. Although Joanne's vocals are not up to the dramatic, classical and operatic power of Sabine Edelsbacher's, you can hear the promise and capacity to grow into that role in the future.
However, a band in this genre is not only its lead singer, they must have stories to tell and great musicianship supporting, and this band does. The lyrical content is up to the challenge as reflected in "S3V3N", the second song on the album, which follows the powerful overture instrumental "Introitus". Joanne sings, "Take a step out of a lonely heart. Tell me how it feels to be alive. Tear up your bonds. Turn from dark to light. Never surrender! And the gate opens up. Raise infinity. We are the final storm. Lifting dreams from the deep. May the stars sing our song". Yes, a powerful statement that this band is here to stay and wants to challenge the genre musically and lyrically. The power of this track and others is well enhanced by a powerful supporting choir made up of the other band members. You can just imagine what this band could do with a supporting orchestra.
With a fourteen page lyrics sheet you know this band has many powerful stories to tell. "Elegy of R'lyeh", an over seven minute epic, full of ocean waves and narration at the opening, and is based upon H.P. Lovecraft's novels, and additional lyrics were taken from Nemesis & Call of Cthulhu. The over nine minute "Sahara Sagas Part I", is a five piece mini – symphony full of action and adventure. The closer "A Controversial Mind" is a nearly nine minute opus on the fight between good and evil within the mind.
I am glad I was able to hear this band's initial contribution to the world of symphonic metal. I look forward to their follow – up. Another powerful statement from Austria, home of the classics.
|
|
|
|
© 2004 Sea Of Tranquility | For information regarding where to send CD promos and advertising, please see our FAQ page.
If you have questions or comments, please Contact Us.
Please see our Policies Page for Site Usage, Privacy, and Copyright Policies.
|
All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. The comments are property of their posters, all other content © Sea of Tranquility
SoT is Hosted by SpeedSoft.com 
|
|
