As far as symphonic metal with a lady at the front is concerned there should really be no competition, the Dutch are the champions at it. One of the more original bands of the ilk and at the top of the game were in my opinion After Forever and I was gutted when they split but at least they had gone out on a high note with self titled 2007 album and a great show in London to round things off. Apparently after a 15 year period and a break to assess the situation they declared that they did not feel the passion towards the band any longer. So after a short period of time we heard the news that ReVamp were born as Floor Jansen wanted to carry on making music as quickly as possible. Around her are gathered various musicians for the album session. Joost van den Broek on keys is the only other member of her former line-up and other players include the multi-talented Waldemar Sorychta. Looking further into things though there is an entirely different line up listed for live dates, which the group will have embarked upon by the time you read this.
After a few spins a couple of things are evident. The first is that this is very good and the second that it is not a major or radical departure stylistically than the albums of After Forever, in fact their fan base should be made up with this. Strident musicianship takes up the call of ‘Here’s My Hell’ and it quickly all swaggers away like a strutting peacock displaying plumage. Slowing as Floor’s soprano vocals come into play and rising to peaks the melody is at the forefront drawing you in. Chorals hit the rafters as the chorus comes in and the song gallops off into a familiar fist pumping territory. The gruff beast vocals come in before the end of the song just to add another dimension and there is plenty going on to keep attention levels up. Songs are both infectious and driving and quickly get into your head, lodging there after just a couple of listens. Strings add pomp to the proud ‘Head Up High’ and a lilting piano leads into the heartfelt and beautiful ballad ‘Sweet Curse, which quickly sends a shiver down the spine. This one is an example of a song that would have been pure Euro Gold and there is even an accompanying clean male part expertly provided by Symphony X vocalist Russell Allen.
At the centre is the three part ‘In Sickness ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ a burgeoning bodice ripper of a song divided by ‘Break’ which actually adds to the emotion of the overall piece and contains a really fantastic melodic chorus. Part two of the song has unexpected death metal drumming and vocal rasps to it and the bombast behind it really catches off guard. There is no filler here, ‘Kill Me With Silence’ is such a strong song it virtually blows my roof off and by complete contrast album closer ‘I Lost Myself’ tugging the heartstrings as the perfect end to a perfect album. One other thing I should mention is that at 52 minutes long this retains the accessibility that a lot of the bands peers have forgotten (Epica and Nightwish take a bow). Top of the class in every respect ReVamp have a bright and promising career on the strength of this debut.
http://www.revampmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/revamp
