Angry Metal Guy
In my estimation, power metal lives and dies by the sword chorus. A band may showcase the world’s greatest guitar wizardry in the universe, the widest vocal range humanly imaginable, and the most boisterous percussive acrobatics, but I need a chorus that makes me want to shout to the heavens to tie it all together. Others might offer a different experience, but I’ve yet to meet a power metal record without big, showstopping choruses that stuck with me for longer than a couple of weeks. Armed with this unwavering condition in my mind, body, and soul, I approach Australian symphonic power metal troupe Carmeria and their sophomore record Tragédie D’amour.
Carmeria’s debut record, Advenae, spanned over an hour of lush, but often basic symphonic power metal. Folks familiar with mid-period Kamelot, Serenity, and Seventh Wonder would recognize the blueprint implemented by these Australians in an instant. As you might guess, one of that record’s greatest strengths were its choruses. That strength not only carries over to this new outing, but also blooms with vivid new brilliance. Embracing the gothic romanticism of HIM and translating it into ridiculously catchy love songs that recall the same indelible infectiousness as many of Night Flight Orchestra‘s hits, Tragédie D’amour represents a tightly written and delightful clinic of gigantic choruses, backed by decent, if still unremarkable, power metal instrumentation.
A Thousand Winter Rains by Carmeria
Even on their weakest cuts, Carmeria’s choruses constitute some of the most memorable material I’ve heard all year. Massive, stadium-rocking tunes like “Thorns” and “Leading the Lyre” make for surefire crowd pleasers, boasting soaring lines and muscular stomps that work in tandem to alight the soul with surging fire. “Call Forth My Sorrow,” “A Thousand Winter Rains,” and “Shadow’s Throne” represent the heaviest offerings, showcasing Carmeria’s surprisingly strong harsh vox while still providing deadly sharp vocal and percussive hooks at every corner. Meanwhile, gorgeous and fleeting ballad “Whispers of Forgiveness” evokes an olden, mystical tone that maximizes the earnest character imbued deeply throughout the record. In a way, that track—despite being the lightest and gentlest application of Carmeria’s sound—represents the bleeding heart of the record, the fount from which the hopelessly romantic emotions that fill Tragédie D’amour springs.
And yet, Tragédie D’amour’s unreal value argument for memorability can’t obscure the relative lack of showmanship displayed by guitars and synths. Where bands like Kamelot and Night Flight Orchestra, to pull from two different pools, both effectively utilize hooky, memorable writing for their guitars and synths, Carmeria’s writing lacks flair in either department. An overwhelming majority of Tragédie D’amour’s riffs, leads, and solos lack distinct personalities, save for rare exceptions like the beautiful acoustic accompaniment in “Whispers of Forgiveness,” the main themes of “Leading the Lyre,” or the noodly synth solo at the final third of “Call Forth My Sorrow.” Consequently, Carmeria’s instrumental material is only ever strong enough to play a support role to the vocals. This, in turn, leaves a lot of potential for even greater musicality on the table that could’ve made a wholly fun record into an undeniable showstopper.
Interestingly, despite my initial claim that power metal needs strong chorus work to resonate with me, Carmeria’s newest release needed more robust instrumentation to be great. Tragédie D’amour’s choruses are easily some of the best I’ve heard all year—not a one misses the mark. However, that metallic essence brought into the affair by guitars, and the whimsy brought by synths, leave a lot to be desired. With more inventive instrumentation, this album could’ve easily threatened the top spot of my year for new releases. As is, Tragédie D’amour remains a thoroughly enjoyable and easily replayable record tailor-made to lift you up and make you sing.
Rating: Good!
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Self Release
Websites: facebook.com/CarmeriaMusic | carmeria.bandcamp.com/music
Releases Worldwide: August 23rd, 2024
The post Carmeria – Tragédie D’amour Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.
Tue Aug 20 10:50:55 GMT 2024