Close Topic Options

Артист: Arwen Альбом: Illusions, 2004 Жанр: heavy metal, progressive power metal Формат файла: eac flac cue log covers, 399 MB Ссылка: CD 6 clicks Нахождение: eDonkey

ARWEN, the second. After the a bit split debut "Memories Of A Dream" in 2002 the Spaniards are back with "Illusions" and they definitely have tried to mend the problems of the debut. For example singer Nacho Ruiz does not sound as blatantly like Andre Matos, but operates in a bit less high-pitched regions, which at least softens the very obvious ANGRA/SHAMAN comparisons of the debut a bit. They also increased the use of keyboards in their melodic Power Metal, with some spacy and also poppy effects, which nicely contrast the good and at times pretty heavy guitar work and also vocally we get a bit more variation, meaning that female singer Mamen Castano receives a bit more recognition, which definitely adds to the variety of the album, as she no longer stands in Nacho’s shadow as much.

That is illustrated right off the bat in the duo "Illusions" and "Riding Alone", the first one has Nacho in the centre point, in the second one Mamen and through this the band manages to establish different characteristics, which had been a bit under developed on the debut still. Also the combination of almost New Age like atmospheric sounds and tight rhythm and heavy guitar work works in favour of ARWEN, giving them an a bit more original touch, which the previous album still lacked, showing that the octet without a doubt is on the right way to earn their place in the symphonic corner of Power Metal. "Illusions", "Dance Of Souls", "Infinity" (which with its Brazilian like rhythms at the beginning indeed reminds me of SHAMAN and ANGRA), "Keltia" (a very nice unsappy ballad including violin and quite unusual melodies), all of them very multilayered compositions, which live off the interplay of contrasts, building up dynamics that many bands sorely lack. But even though they definitely have made a right step into the right direction and with that prove that they have what it takes to find their own sound, which already is worth quite something, they still have some work cut out for them.

A consistent problem is that they cannot keep up the same level yet and with 13 songs maybe have recorded a bit too much material. I know, I usually complain about not getting enough, but sometimes a little less can be quite a bit more. Still a really good album that is not Columbus’ egg yet, but at least tries very hard to break out of the usual standards, which I can and have to hold for ARWEN. Alex, metal-observer.

01. Intro
02. Illusions
03. Riding Alone
04. Dance of Souls
05. Infinity
06. Keltia
07. Fantasy of Reality
08. No More Tears
09. My My Own Sight
10. One Reason to Live
11. Lullaby
12. Somewhere in the Past
13. Touch the Sky

greetings