Artist: Lunatica
Title: New Shores
Type: Album
Label: Napalm Records
“Melodic Symphonic Metal” is the tag given on the promotional copy to “New Shores”, the 4th album from Swiss band Lunatica. If it’s metal at all, it’s of the softer variety. I can see how the symphonic claim can be justified, but it’s not of the overpowering or majestic variety which tends to go with the description. The opener, which is the title track, has an electro-Gothic feel about it. Whichever way you describe the song, it ebbs and flows, and is a very catchy piece. The female singer has a silky voice without dominating proceedings in an operatic way like some. She sounded to me a lot like Madonna with a tinge of Cristina Scabbia. All in All, the track “New Shores” is an excellent bright opener which would find its audience in the pop/rock world as well as devotees of female-fronted Goth metal.
The second track “Two Dreamers” is a corny piece of pop, and frankly a disappointment. On to the next one. “The Incredibles” suggested it was going to build up to something. It sort of did so, and featured a sing-a-long chorus but even with a faint symphonic element it wasn’t rousing enough. Nevertheless, in common with the track “New Shores”, it has a good structure and a nice background rhythm. “The Chosen Ones” is punchy and pleasant enough, with good guitar and synthesiser solos, but it’s largely uninspiring. “Into the Dissonance” is strange. It threatens to be ethereal and has a good funky electro line while smacking of Eurovision in its chorus. “The Day the Falcon Dies” again has definite pop overtones about it. Instrumentally, it works and has the same sort of catchiness as Finnish Goth Metal but whilst the singer can undoubtedly sing, it comes across as too light. It ended as if the band had run out of ideas. “Heart of a Lion” shared these qualities. It’s a pleasant enough pop song but doesn’t even attempt to be dramatic. I could imagine the Corrs singing this. I was glad when it ended. “My Hardest Walk” started with more purpose and went beyond the pop formula. The lyric “I will do my best to banish eternal night” struck me as a weak and watery sop to Power Metal, reflecting the track in general. There’s just not enough conviction. To its credit, a nice heavy and dreamy section precedes a strong ending. “Winds of heaven” is a quiet track and is the perfect vehicle for the singer’s range. The lighters will be waved in the air during this one. Finally, “How Did it Come to This” aims at an air of wistful sadness, and mostly achieves it with the aid of a pedestrian rhythm. The singer exercises good control and is supported with some adept instrumental touches. It’s a nice enough song, but not earth-shattering, which for me summed up the album as a whole.
There was a good balance between the instrumental side and the vocals, and it was clear that Lunatica are not frightened to try things. Unfortunately “New Shores” isn’t sonically powerful enough, and it bobbed along without breaking through any walls. There were some good moments and technically it’s fine. This album is bound to please those who like to be touched by Gothic and Classical melody. It will not appeal to those who like their music to be heavy.
http://www.lunatica.ch
http://www.myspace.com/lunaticametal
http://www.napalmrecords.com
Andrew Doherty
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