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Beautiful Sin is
the dream child of Masterplan drum maestro Uli Kusch and Belgian singing
sensation Magali Luyten. The two met briefly in 2002 when Luyten’s
band were seeking a producer for their new album, and although this never
came about, Luyten had made such an impression of Kusch that when he was
looking for a vocalist for a new project he immediately thought of Magali,
and so the first seeds of Beautiful Sin were born. The two are
joined by Masteplan's Axel Mackenrott on keyboards and Pagans Mind's Jorn
Viggo Lofstad on guitar and Steiner Krokmo on bass.
If first
impressions are anything to go by than this album is going to be a
monster. From the opener ‘Lost’ the sheer splendour of Luyten’s
voice is there for all to hear and admire. This songstress has one
of the most powerful female voices I’ve heard for a while.
The album
continues with ‘This Is Not The Original Dream’, another very impressive
track full of great tempo changes and a powerhouse rhythm section that
adds to the magnificence of the track, together with Lofstad’s soaring
guitars which add that extra spice to the song.
The heat is
really turned up with the awesome ‘Take Me Home’, none of your contrasting
male and female vocals here, it's all Luyten from the off as she really
sings up a storm with this one.
The power of
Steiner Krokmo’s bass opens up the next track ‘I’m Real’, a real
barnstormer of a track with Uli Kusch powering through the drum sections
like a knife through butter, splendid stuff.
As each track on
the album keeps out doing the previous track, for fortitude and grace the
next track ‘The Spark Of Ignition’ simple blows you away with its
bombastic overtures and overall grandiose nature.
Things slow down
just a touch as the band unveil their gentle side with ‘Closer To My
Heart’, before it's back to the full on sound of ‘Give Up Once For All’.
If Closer To My Heart’ show the bands gentle side then ‘Give Up Once For
All’ certainly shows the bands grittier side.
‘Brace For
Impact’ is a track where the keyboards of Axel Mackenrott really shine.
This mixed with thumping bass of Krokmo, the rampaging drums of Kusch and
the soaring guitars of Lofstad, all go to make this instrumental a real
masterclass.
‘Pechvogel
(Unlucky Fellow)' is another barnstormer with Luyten returning to the fold
with some great vocals very reminiscent of Skin of Skunk Anansie.
But the metal
onslaught of ‘Metalwaves’ has to be my favourite track off the album.
A real headbangers delight with some fantastic guitars once again by
Lofstad and that rhythm section forever powering out the back beat, simply
magnificent.
The album closes
with another instrumental and the title track ‘Beautiful Sin’. A
haunting piece that is full of Nordic swagger. You can imagine
yourself sailing your long-ship through the fiords as the splendour of the
natural architecture unfolds before your eyes. Perhaps a little
poetic but that’s what this tracks brings to my mind and one that rounds
off a quite superb release. Let's hope this alliance continues to
another album and maybe a tour. |
