Daniel Flores is already well known for his song writing, production and drumming on a wide and varied set of bands and projects. So far he has been involved with Mind’s Eye, The Codex, The Moonstone Project and Frozen Rain among many, many others. Teaming together with musicians he has worked with in some of those other projects, Daniel Palmqvist (guitars), Johan Niemann (bass) and Andreas Lindahl (keyboards), and discovering the vocally (and visually) impressive Angelica Rylin, Flores has taken a distinct left turn when compared to the likes of Mind’s Eye and come up with a gothically inspired set of keyboard heavy orchestral, melodramatic metal. An instant and constant comparison is easily drawn with Within Temptation and if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the Dutch metallers should be proud indeed. So whilst there is little, if any, originality involved here, it does have to be said that the songs themselves are on the whole excellent.
Taking the band name from a film noir, "Murder, My Sweet", it is no surprise then that the songs are dark, atmospheric and gothically grandiose in stature, with Rylin proving that she is a match for the best female vocalists in an ever increasing list. She really does possess the confidence, style and aura to push The Murder Of My Sweet to the forefront of the genre.
Palmqvist shreds impressively across the disc, however Rylin aside, the true star of the music is Lindahl, as Flores has put together some huge keyboard led moments which build an impressive and at times enormous atmosphere in which Rylin, Palmqvist and Niemann can weave their musical tapestries through. Flores, as expected is excellent behind the kit, his playing is clinical yet busy and even in this different musical setting his muscular display is easily identifiable. Although the album clocks in at just under an hour, it is slightly too long for its contents as one or two of the songs do start to sound overly familiar as the disc progresses, however it’s not a drop in quality, just variety.
Stand out tracks do seem to fall into the opening half of the album, however if you listen to the likes of the simply massive "Follow The Rain" with its soaring keys and marching beat, or the grandiose vocally led "Kiss of Death" there can be little doubt as to the potential power contained within Divanity. That said closing track "Death of a Movie Star" is possibly the strongest as the almost seven and a half minute running time allows the song to ebb and flow, building and receding before coming to end with a darkly understated fade out.
In terms of genre, "Divanity" is quite a departure for Frontiers records, however with The Murder Of My Sweet they have done so with a band and album that makes the risk worthwhile indeed. |
