Released by: Massacre Records
Release date: 12 February 2016
Genre: Gothic Symphonic Power Metal
Links: Facebook , imperiaband.com
Lineup:
Helena Iren Michaelsen
Jan Örkki Yrlund
Gerry Verstreken
Steve Wolz
Track Listing:
01. Silence Is My Friend
02. Crossroads
03. Broken (When Silence Cries)
04. Away
05. Friheten Vil Seire
06. My Screaming Heart
07. Motherlove
08. The Vikingsong
09. Spirit Chase (Keep Fighting)
10. Innocent Child
11. Wings Of Hope
12. We’ll Be Free
13. Broken Hearts
Gothic Symphonic Power Metal is a style I try on a regular basis to enjoy, but often I find it leaving me underwhelmed. Sometimes there are moments that catch my attention, and make me shout, “THIS! More of this!” I do find that having a female fronting the band appeals to me more than males, but it has to truly be a female voice (and male to be honest) that stands out from the crowd. So much Power Metal in general I find to be boring and same sounding (and I know, I have made this complaint numerous times.) Adding a symphonic element typically doesn’t help out much either. Having said that, the band Imperia tends to find favor with me, for various reasons.
For starters, the music itself isn’t necessarily anything unique and groundbreaking, speaking about their latest offering Tears Of Silence, but the new album seems to be a bit more focused for them this time around, going for more of a metal album in a traditional sense while still featuring big orchestrations, folk elements, and that power gallop throughout. The biggest attraction I have is with vocalist Helena Iren Michaelsen. Her voice, on the surface, seems to be heavily influenced by an unlikely person (or at least has an uncanny comparison to it)- the voice of Anne Margaret (and yes, I’m probably dating myself with that reference,) but that deeper tone and vibrato always reminds me of that legendary redheaded enchantress. Michaelsen also has the ability to alter her sound to accommodate more operatic type vocals as well as more extreme stuff on occasion. Tracks like “Broken When The Silence Cries,” “Spirit Chase Keep Fighting,” and “Innocent Child” were the main tracks that stuck with me.
Imperia’s Tears of Silence is a nice album worth checking out if this is your type of music. I don’t expect it to blow any minds, but it is a good album with a truly distinct voice in the metal world. I’m still not won over on the genre, but this is at least an album that I didn’t instantly hate, so that’s a start.
Written by Chris Martin
Ratings: Chris 6/10
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