For many decades, female fronted bands have been part of the metal scene. Sadly, despite the pioneering work of the likes of Doro, Girlschool, Holy Moses, and even the movement into extreme metal spearheaded by Arch Enemy, women still remain an overlooked minority in rock. That has lead to the formation of Femme Metal Records, a UK label set up to promote the talents of the fairer sex.
In this release by ADD (Analog Digital Disaster), they have a solid start. Hailing from Illinois, they have in ‘Elements of Emptiness’ an album that has the chance of appealing to a range of rock and metal fans, so long as they’re not too stuck in a single sub-genre. Opening track, ‘The Path’ starts with an almost Euro-power metal riff, combining mid-paced guitars with prominent keyboards, segueing into a hook laden chorus. Singer Margaret Young uses this single track to showcase her considerable vocal talents, merging seamlessly from clean harmonies to a highly creditable angry bark in a song that celebrates the individual.
Track 3, the short punchy ‘Maybe’ invades the territory dominated by the likes of Disturbed, simple punchy guitar riffs layered with distorted vocal breaks and keyboards building into an exceptionally well produced crescendo. This style is exploited even further in ‘Too Late’, with its lyrics of alienation and a collapsed relationship.
By the time ‘Half of Me’ comes up to play, I found myself thinking of the best qualities of the Seattle sound of the 90’s, the track held together by a deep, slow, guitar line, and the sonorous, regret laden vocals. Throughout the album, the lyrical theme of failed relationships and cheating lovers permeates every track, but without falling into the nihilist self centred whining of the Emo.
The undoubted star of the CD is Margaret Young’s voice, and with her expressive, soaring vocals it would be easy to forget the quality of the guitars, bass, drums and keys that give her the platform for her lyrics. All are well played, and engineered with precision by Tadpole, a name previously associated with the likes of Disturbed.
http://www.femmemetalrecords.com/add.htm
http://www.myspace.com/addloud
