 |
|
September 7, 2008 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
01. The Awakening
02. I'm Calling
03. God Has A Plan For Us All
04. Suicide On My Mind
05. Deity Of Disgust
06. The Addiction
07. Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough
08. Do You See Me Now
09. Original Sin
10. Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned
11. Confide In Me
12. That's What The Wise Lady Said
|
|
After several years of active participation in records and live performances by acts as established as CRADLE OF FILTH and THERION, Sarah Jezebel Deva is finally coming up with her own baby, ANTOGORIA, co-founded with guitarist Chris Rehn (ABYSSOS). Their debut album, titled "God Has A Plan For Us All", was blessed with the involvement of renowned producer Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and involves guest appearances by bassist Dave Pybus (CRADLE OF FILTH) as well as singer Aaron Stainthorpe (MY DYING BRIDE).
Even though ANGTORIA was not primarily supposed to be a Metal formation per say, their biography describes them as being "a band that would be in the same orchestral movie score atmosphere, but more focused towards Metal and with a proper line to be able to tour". After the album's intro, "The Awakening", the conclusion is that they sound more Metal that many groups who consider themselves Metal. Despite very impressive orchestral arrangements, the music of ANGTORIA mainly involves double pounding drums, killer riffs and Malmsteen-like guitar solos with a few keyboard arrangements. The voice of Sarah Jezebel Deva is simply amazing and very powerful without ever going overboard. Even a radio-friendly composition like "Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned" remains indisputably heavy.
The band seems to be very comfortable to switch from one style to another, involving a wide range of genres such as Power Metal on tunes such as "I'm Calling" and "Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough" as well as Gothic gems like the very infectious "Suicide On My Mind", "Do You See Me Now" and the ballad "The Addiction", which indeed has all the ingredients to be added to the soundtrack of a next Hollywood production; and finally Death Metal growls on "Original Sin". There are even some Middle-Eastern influences showing on "Deity Of Disgust". Each track is performed efficiently and unlike other formations of the same category such as NIGHTWISH or WITHIN TEMPTATION, it seems like these guys like to keep to short and sweet by not going over the five-minute benchmark on any of their songs.
Overall, this album turns out to be extremely pleasant and comes as a total surprise if we consider that most of the musicians come from the extreme Metal scene. ANTGORIA was formed five years ago, however the release of "God Has A Plan For Us all" has made all the wait worthwhile. If you were looking for a more straight-forward approach by a Gothic Metal band, this CD could be the answer to expectations. Otherwise, if you've been looking for something new in melodic Metal, you should definitely give ANGTORIA a chance.
|
|
|
|
