Reviews

NARWHAL TUSK..'IN DESPAIR'

(Musica Productions) Reviewed 13th January 2011

The history of Russian Band Narwhal Tusk starts back in 2006, when a new vocalist Valentina Yastremskaya was invited to join the band. Her voice allowed Dmitry, the founder of the band and co vocalist (clean) on some tracks, to realize his creative concept completely. The result is one of the most beautiful Melodic Metal albums that I have listened to in somewhile. 'In Despair' to be totally frank is an awesome offering of up tempo symphonic songs and heart rendering ballads. And I love it! The opener 'Waltz (As Autumn Falls)' starts with aweome piano (great stuff Dmitry) and strings, and I am in love, and the album is barely a minute old! Valentina's operatic voice moulds in well with the music, and this is one helluva track to kick this record off. 'Mourning Purple' follows and is an out and out Nightwish type rocker, and anybody who stays still while listening to this track (as with many others on this cd) has a problem! There are further rockers like 'Nova', 'New Dawn, New Day' and the bombastic 'My Angel', and wonderful ballads such as 'In Despair Pt1', 'Everfall (The Holy Gardiner of Souls)', 'Walking Over Water' and the wonderful 'In Despair Part 2' with Dimitry doing main vox. Indeed, from the ballad point of view, I am wondering whether there are many other bands that can actually do them any better, while another thing that stands out on this album are the piano and synths, great stuff! With barely the hint of an accent, this is one for lovers of Tarja era Nightwish most certainly, and I defy any fan of the genre to say they do not like this album. Please check them out at http://www.reverbnation.com/narwhaltusk, and with a top notch production, I can only say this comes highly recommended from myself..10/10 (Dave)

NEBULEYES..'THE UNIVERSAL OF BEING'

(Orfeo Lab Self Release) Reviewed 3rd November 2009

This is the band’s third album, but the first with a lady singer, the beautiful mezzo contralto Lady/Dame/Drama Elfenore/Elfamorta, a lady with as many titles as projects. It has taken Benjamin Masson and Xavier Boscher four years to create this science fiction epic; a story that is more impenetrable than Ayreon, a universal being is created that is part of a war between the old and new gods to decide the future of mankind. This is dreamy symphonic metal, in the same vein as Tarja’s solo work, mixed with Ayreon, and a touch of Pendragon modern prog. The joy is finding the nuances in each song. This lies at the more cerebral end of metal. Illegal downloading threatens studio projects like this, so if you like your music deep, thoughtful and relaxing, show your support by buying this at a bargain price at http://nebuleyes.free.fr/ 8.5/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

NEMESEA..'IN CONTROL'

(Sellaband) Reviewed 19th August 2007

I do not know what the Scandinavians and the Dutch put in their water, but there sure is a vast array of decent bands coming from that part of the world. NEMESEA appeared on the scene a couple of years or so ago with their debut opus MANA. This cd was a strong operatic gothic metal album, not too disimilar to Nightwish in places. In-fact, being a Nightwish fan, I enjoyed that cd very much. And then I heard about NEMESEA recording a new album. Obviously, I was interested in hearing the new material. Now, let's get something straight here. Anybody reading this review that is expecting and wants MANA mark two, I am afraid they are not going to get it. I am though bowled over by the new cd. I would call it electro rock/metal, with the odd touch of techno for good measure. I like all types of music, and I never get stuck in a rut. I myself love 'IN CONTROL'. OK, it is totally different to the debut, but the potential for the album is enormous, even over here in the UK, if it was pushed in the right directions. It is only 34 minutes long though, comprising 10 tracks, but I believe in quality not quantity, so I do not have a problem with that. Favourite tracks are a plenty, but I particularly like seventh track in, 'BELIEVE'. Any open minded person should check this album out. It is a strong release! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

NICOLA..'DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY'

(Hot Cherry Records) Reviewed 10th June 2008

Let us get something straight here. This is not metal, but I always pride myself on enjoying music from most genres - I never get stuck in a rut. Anyway, variety is the spice of life! As long as there is a tune, then Dave Smith is happy. Native New Yorker Nicola, tracked me down via myspace, she so kindly sent me her cd, and it seems this attractive lass is coming to our shores later in the year. I recently reviewed a cd by Grace Solero, and the music on offer on 'Don't Take It Personally' would certainly appeal to that type of music fan, plus others too. What I love about Nicola is her voice (and I have told her this), and vocally she is awesome. Opening track 'Anybody Out There' is an awesomely catchy affair, followed by the title track, that is equally as good, and showcases Nicola's voice to the full. The musicianship throughout the album is top notch, as is the production I hasten to add. There are slower songs 'Leavin' You Behind' and 'Combustible', we have a subtle reggae vibe on 'Crazy' and we have the more uptempo rockier numbers, 'Lighthouse (remix)', 'Number One Fan' and 'My Name Ain't Mary', and they all confirm that this lass has one helluva set of pipes! I seriously believe that Nicola has what it takes to break into the mainstream here in the UK. So may I suggest that UK labels wake up, and wake up now! Check her out at www.myspace.com/nicola. A good record 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

NIGHTWISH..'DARK PASSION PLAY'

(Nuclear Blast) Reviewed 3rd Sept 2007

The new era Nightwish is here, featuring the heavenly voice of Anette Olzon. Let's do away with the formalities. So what about this new album then? Well it kicks off with 'The Poet and the Pendulum'. A near 14 minute epic track of grand proportions. This is cinematic, pompous, operatic, epic, melodic and has just about everything including the kitchen sink. Totally mind blowing stuff - and this is just track one! 'Bye Bye Beautiful' follows and bounces along quite nicely, featuring the vocals of both Anette and bassist Marco. The awesome factor so far is high, very high. And then we have 'Amaranth'. This song is near perfection! Thereafter, there is absolutely no let up, track after track of superb craftmanship, with Anette proving how well she fits into the Nightwish fold. We won't go into every track in detail, but in short, this album is an epic, cinematic, gothy, beautiful melodic metal release. Fave tracks - they ALL are, but check out, the aforementioned 'The Poet and the Pendulum', 'Amaranth', 'Eva', the AOR ish 'For The Heart I once Had', 'Meadows of Heaven'...hell, the list goes on. Just buy the album for f**ks sake when it's released. Excellent music is not only to be heard, it is to be felt and to be experienced. This is the sound of Nightwish reborn. To put it quite simply, 'Dark Passion Play' is a complete and utter masterpiece. A MUST BUY! 10/10 (Reviewed by Dave&Aimee).

NIVAIRA.. 'DESERT CHILD'

(Self Release) Reviewed 10th February 2010

The second album by the equine Spanish twosome featuring David Tordera, rock vocals, guitar, bass, orchestrations, and his sidekick, the delightful opera diva Diana Alieva on vocals and keys. This is rather jolly, up-tempo power metallish music very much in the vein of Rhapsody having a gallop with Rainbow across the Pyrenees, featuring the protagonists’ dual vocals in English and Spanish. Talking of Mr. Ritchie, the beautiful ‘The World I Gave to You’ would grace a Blackmore’s Night album, with superb classical acoustic guitar. If you like your metal light and melodic, rather than brain battering, then saddle up and canter along to CD Baby and download this lovely thoroughbred. They’re looking for a label stable to release it physically, they have got to be worth an each-way bet. 8.5/10 (Reviewed by Phil)