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trax:
01. Open Your Eyes
02. Skogens Lengsel
03. Northern Light
04. Konkylie
05. Wintertimes
06. Race Of Time
07. New Horizon
08. River Of Virgin Soil
09. En Natt I Nord
10. Octobre [Limited Edition bonus]
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=149466527 (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=149466527
Following their debut 'Where Twilight Dwells', Midnattsol was able to tour with In Extremo and they played at several big festivals. A successful career had started! Midnattsol is the German band around Norwegian vocalist Carmen Elise Espenaes, the sister of Liv who tours the world with Leaves' Eyes now. Carmen's angelic voice has invigorated on this second album and showcases an operatic tinge. I wondered how 'Nordlys' (northern light) would progress.
Midnattsol says that they make Nordic folk metal, but there is not that much folk to be found on this album. Okay, lyrics deal with mythological subjects and the fairytale-like image of the band fits with all these Nordic sagas, legends and myths, but the music of Midnattsol leans heavier on smooth rocking symphonic metal with lots of eminent guitar leads plus any bombast because of keyboards and scanty orchestration. On this album – which is heavier than its predecessor – the contrast between Carmen's lovely vocals and the heavy, sometimes real harsh instrumentation is quite immense. The first time I listened to the album, it seemed as if Midnattsol had moved too much towards a common gothic metal direction, but after several spins I discovered there's more than meets the eye. Production-wise I have nothing but praise about 'Nordlys'. The music has crossed whole Europe to come to this sublime result. Vocals of Carmen were recorded at the familiar Mastersound Studio of brother-in-law Alex Krull. Instruments were recorded at the infamous Studio E of Markus Stock. Tue Madsen did the mix and the mastering happened in the Finnvox Studios in Finland. Famous names, indicating that money nor efforts were spared to achieve a superb end result.
From the opener 'Open Your Eyes' on I am amazed by the heaviness of the material. Vocals adjust this to a softer timbre, but guitarists Daniel Droste and Christian Hector (both active in the heavy doom collective AHAB as well) are responsible for tons of tight riffs and melodic soloing, giving this album a proper surplus. Just as on the debut three songs are sung in Norwegian. 'Northern Lights' starts with calm acoustic guitars, but a rigorous acceleration and marvellous guitar solo turn this song into the first highlight. The eight minutes long 'Konklylie' is another summit. This track even has a doomy atmosphere. Mark the delicious lead parts meandering through lingering patterns. 'Wintertimes' is catchy gothic metal and the up-tempo 'Rage Of Time' is very accessible as well. Off 'New Horizon' and 'River Of Virgin Soil' one may notice a few slightly folk elements, but in the end I would say this is well-executed symphonic metal. Less authentic than the debut one, yet probably appealing to a broader audience.
01. Open Your Eyes
02. Skogens Lengsel
03. Northern Light
04. Konkylie
05. Wintertimes
06. Race Of Time
07. New Horizon
08. River Of Virgin Soil
09. En Natt I Nord
10. Octobre [Limited Edition bonus]
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=149466527 (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=149466527
Following their debut 'Where Twilight Dwells', Midnattsol was able to tour with In Extremo and they played at several big festivals. A successful career had started! Midnattsol is the German band around Norwegian vocalist Carmen Elise Espenaes, the sister of Liv who tours the world with Leaves' Eyes now. Carmen's angelic voice has invigorated on this second album and showcases an operatic tinge. I wondered how 'Nordlys' (northern light) would progress.
Midnattsol says that they make Nordic folk metal, but there is not that much folk to be found on this album. Okay, lyrics deal with mythological subjects and the fairytale-like image of the band fits with all these Nordic sagas, legends and myths, but the music of Midnattsol leans heavier on smooth rocking symphonic metal with lots of eminent guitar leads plus any bombast because of keyboards and scanty orchestration. On this album – which is heavier than its predecessor – the contrast between Carmen's lovely vocals and the heavy, sometimes real harsh instrumentation is quite immense. The first time I listened to the album, it seemed as if Midnattsol had moved too much towards a common gothic metal direction, but after several spins I discovered there's more than meets the eye. Production-wise I have nothing but praise about 'Nordlys'. The music has crossed whole Europe to come to this sublime result. Vocals of Carmen were recorded at the familiar Mastersound Studio of brother-in-law Alex Krull. Instruments were recorded at the infamous Studio E of Markus Stock. Tue Madsen did the mix and the mastering happened in the Finnvox Studios in Finland. Famous names, indicating that money nor efforts were spared to achieve a superb end result.
From the opener 'Open Your Eyes' on I am amazed by the heaviness of the material. Vocals adjust this to a softer timbre, but guitarists Daniel Droste and Christian Hector (both active in the heavy doom collective AHAB as well) are responsible for tons of tight riffs and melodic soloing, giving this album a proper surplus. Just as on the debut three songs are sung in Norwegian. 'Northern Lights' starts with calm acoustic guitars, but a rigorous acceleration and marvellous guitar solo turn this song into the first highlight. The eight minutes long 'Konklylie' is another summit. This track even has a doomy atmosphere. Mark the delicious lead parts meandering through lingering patterns. 'Wintertimes' is catchy gothic metal and the up-tempo 'Rage Of Time' is very accessible as well. Off 'New Horizon' and 'River Of Virgin Soil' one may notice a few slightly folk elements, but in the end I would say this is well-executed symphonic metal. Less authentic than the debut one, yet probably appealing to a broader audience.
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