Chick fronted symphonic metal is a dime a dozen these days, and Amberian Dawn is just another band in this vast ocean of similar sounding acts. Their biggest selling points are their sound - which is a stripped down guitar heavy version of Nightwish's decade gone humble beginnings ("Angels Fall First") mixed with Edenbridge.
Second point of interest is their classically trained singer, Heidi Parvainen. Heidi could probably hold court with Tarja and manage to not be blown out of the same room with her. She has the dramatic soprano, operatic singing down to a science. Where Tarja's approach would turn the higher notes into northern ice, Heidi softens the upper registers and strengthens it with a wave of warmth. However, she lacks the personality that surged through Tarja. Unfortunately the songs never quite manage to rise up to meet her vocal challenge and the album runs quite short, coming in under forty minutes long.
Not that the album is stifled by terrible songwriting. Everything is passable, but lacks the breath of originality. The struggle to overcome this by toning down or outright eliminating keyboards and focusing on the rock standard purity trio of drum/bass/guitar limits the disc in places where it should fly.
This debut, "River of Tuoni" has its share of flashy speed tracks such as "Fate of Maiden" that works out the vocalist as much as it does the drummer and guitarists. The title track is heavy on bass, flexing power and an extremely catchy hook that spirals to heights and comes crashing down in a dramatic fashion. There's a bit of Malmsteen lurking in here too, just listen to the tonal quality of the electric guitar solo to connect the dots on that one. "Passing Dawn" forges a militant feel in a dusty Middle Eastern setting, while "Sunrise" features some tasty guitar licks.
"My Only Star" could have been a Nightwish B-side from "Oceanborn". A dynamic track that leans heavily on the power metal aspects of the band, with just that feathery touch of symphonic pleasure that flows through the music like a ripple of otherworldly fairy dust. The same could be said for "Valkyrie" pumping its keyboard and thundering double drums and blisteringly beautiful guitars. It's so much like old Nightwish that it tugs at your heart strings relentlessly. "Lullaby" flows like a bubbling stream and embraces the feminine vocals in open arms.
It would perhaps be a bit unfair to say that Amberian Dawn is a Nightwish knockoff. They come from the same country, have similar approaches in songwriting and choice of vocalization, and a myriad of other comparisons that could truthfully be made. Yet, Nightwish is no longer a Tarja vehicle and though she is holding her own as a solo artist, there is a small gap left by the ghost of her estranged outfit that Amberian Dawn fills nicely. Those that pine for those "Oceanborn" days will find much to like about this band, which is still in its infancy stages (having only come together in 2006).
All things considered, it is a short, unoriginal, but thoroughly likable debut that lacks a little melodic magic. Future releases and time will be telling on how the band shapes up. For now, this will whet the appetites of those left hungry when "Dark Passion Play" was not the kind of operatic feast they anticipated.Written by
Alanna Sunday, September 14, 2008
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