Finnish super group ‘Symfonia’ formed in 2010 come from different but equally amazing bands ranging from Helloween to Stratovarious. So putting all that talent and experience together what will they come up with? Another power metal album that sounds like the rest? Or an original piece to blow your mind?
‘Fields of Avalon’ the first track starts off the album with a simple but impressive riff, the drum work shortly after is fast (think galloping like a mad man on a horse). The vocals... just yes!!!! This is what power metal is all about! I can imagine vocalist Andro getting his balls squeezed to reach these kind of notes! Anyhow, forget about the ball squeezing tomfoolery, if this track is like the whole album then it was definitely what I was expecting from such a bunch of Finnish super-blokes. Mikko Härkin (Sonata Arctica) sounds as talented as Beethoven. The end of the track ends superbly, with the highest pitched wailing I’ve ever heard from a man.
Moving on to track three ‘Santiago’ I honestly thought it was going to bounce into a Papa Roach track, luckily.... it changed into an almost Motorhead feel, that is until the singer pelted his lungs out and the drums kicked with a constant stream of double kick throttling. The middle section so beautiful with just a classical guitar, then in with what only I could describe as a bit of Manowar style epic drums, finished off with a need to wave your hands and lighters in the air, this could have been a perfect track to end the album, or even a gig.
‘Alayna’ is another ballad to wave the lighter to with some fantastic guitar work dueting alongside the vocals. ‘Forevermore’ a fast tempo’d battle feel with some ‘Phantom of the Opera’ style keyboards toward the end, this one screams Helloween!
Another belter that stood out for me was ‘In Paradisum’ with the group female harmonic vocals on the intro, perfect for the lyrics of angels and peace. Vocal-wise I love this one, starting off with just his vocals and a bit of acoustic guitar then faster paced with a feeling of loss and sadness (just the feeling I was getting from the feel of the music).
Moving on to the last track ‘Don’t let Me Go’ starts off with some acoustic guitar and a few depressing violin notes, the vocals and lyrics equally as depressing. Quite a good track to end the album on, although there was one other I would have liked to hear at the end. Nevertheless, this album on a whole is quite a masterpiece with the talent from many supergroups like Sonata and Helloween it’s no wonder it’s a cracker. If you’re a power metal cheese fan, then you’re going to love this!
http://www.myspace.com/symphoniamalaysia
