 |
|
May 21, 2012 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
WARMEN - Accept The Fact
Spinefarm (2005) |
8/10 |
|
By Luc Ben Hayoun
October 1, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
01. Accept The Fact
02. Invisible Power
03. Waters Of Lethe
04. Roppongi Rumble
05. They All Blame Me
06. Puppet
07. Lying Delilah
08. Return of Salieri
09. Somebody's Watching Me
|
|
Started as a solo project by Janne Warman, mostly known by Metal fans for playing keyboards with CHILDREN OF BODOM, WARMEN released their first album "Unknown Soldier" in 2000. With the second release, "Beyond Abilities", in 2001, WARMEN's sound took a heavier turn, evolving from the Progressive style of the beginning to more technical-oriented Power Metal. More than four years later, this tendency seems to be confirmed with the new album "Accept The Fact". The production is cleaner than ever, with an excellent mixing job by Mikko Karmila (EDGUY, NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS, CHILDREN OF BODOM) once again. The line-up on this album still includes drummer Mirka Rantanen and bassist Lauri Porra (STRATOVARIUS, TUNNELVISION) and Janne's brother, guitarist Antti Warman (CRAYDOWN). As usual, we can also appreciate the participation of high profile guests such as Timo Kotipelto (STRATOVARIUS), Marko Vaara (TUNNELVISION) and Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM).
The instrumental title track "Accept The Fact" opens the album on a progressive note; its warm melody and high-level of musicianship is going to make the fans of technical Metal very happy as we can fully enjoy the undisputed virtuosity of Janne Warmen and his mates. The second track, "Invisible Power" (featuring singer extraordinaire Timo Kotipelto) is pretty much in the tradition of Finnish Power Metal acts such as STRATOVARIUS and SONATA ARCTICA. "Waters Of Lethe" (featuring vocalist Marko Vaara) shows an unusual aggressiveness for a formation such as WARMEN and proves to be the heaviest track ever performed by the band. Another very impressive instrumental is "Roppongi Rumble", and it is obvious that even if Warman's keys are still omnipresent, the guitar sound seems pushed forward (on this release anyway). Unfortunately, the insipid pop melody of "They All Blame Me" (featuring the even more insipid female vocals performed here by Jonna Kosonen), who keeps whining that "they all blame her";
we can without a doubt blame her for the only track on the album everybody will have to remember to skip so as to avoid spoiling the positive impression made by the rest of the selection. Thank god the next track, "Puppet", puts the album right on track in a heavier atmosphere featuring Timo Kotipelto for the second time on this album. "Lying Delilah" (with Marko Vaara) shows things down with a style somehow similar to EDGUY. The album pinnacle is definitely the instrumental "Return Of Salieri", and will blow you away without any effort. This is exactly when and where the difference between musicians who have received a Classical training and the ones who have not is made. Finally, "Somebody's Watching Me", which was originally performed by the 80's Pop act ROCKWELL and also featured Michael Jackson, is taken on by Mr. Alexi "Wild child" Laiho (Who else!!!!), and closes the album in a true BODOM-spirit.
Even if I am obviously not a big fan of everything on this album, I can't deny the incredible versatility displayed with the present selection and how easily Janne Warman switches from one style to the other without any difficulty at all. Overall, I've enjoyed most of what this release has to offer and highly recommend it to all the fans of melodic Metal out there.
|
|
|
|
