Winter In Eden: Court Of Conscience

Here is an excellent album from English symphonic rock/metal band Winter In Eden. The album is called Court Of Conscience, their third full length release and the follow up to Echoes Of Betrayal.

The band is Vicky Johnson (vocals), Samuel Cull (guitars), Steve Johnson (keyboards, orchestrations, bodhran), Ian Heddle (bass) and Steve Hauxwell (drums). Notable guests include Damien Wilson (Threshold, Headspace) and Jermain van der Bogt (Ayreon)

As we all know there are no shortage of female fronted symphonic metal/rock bands. Nightwish, Delain, Epica and Within Temptation to name just a few. The question is what does Winter Of Eden bring to the table that has not been heard before? I'm not sure if there is anything new here but I can tell you I enjoyed listening to this disc immensely. Every member of the band are true professionals and the musicianship is very good and the production sounds great. Nice dynamics between the heavy riffs and softer piano led sections. The keyboards of Johnson are ever present giving these tunes the full symphonic treatment without going over the top. Songs like the bombastic "Constant Tomorrows" and the majestically melodic "Before It Began" are prime examples.

The lead vocals of Vicky Johnson is another highlight. Her voice is really the stamp of this band and she does a great job. She has an excellent range but mostly stays in the lower spectrum so the histrionics are greatly reigned in and is a nice change from some of the other bands in the genre. She sings great on every track and really gives these songs that extra touch of class.

Court Of Conscience has been a nice surprise in the symphonic metal genre and is an album I highly recommend.

Track Listing:
1. Knife Edge
2. With Intent
3. Critical Mass Part 1 - Burdened
4. Toxicate
5. Order Of Your Faith
6. It's Not Enough
7. Before It Began
8. The Script
9. Constant Tomorrows
10. Behind Closed Doors
11. Affliction

Added: January 14th 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 2087
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]