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I
first came across Swiss Metallers Lunatica with their very impressive
debut album 'Atlantis'. An album that saw the band spring into the limelight
such was the quality of the album. The
band followed the success with another excellent album ‘Fables And
Dreams' and again received high acclaim, as did their third opus ‘Edge Of
Infinity’.
But
now in 2009 the band have exceeded themselves with their latest outing 'New
Shores', this is without a doubt the band's finest hour and will again shoot
the band into the dizzy heights of international stardom.
Dätwyler
the main focus of attention on the album, with Sandro D'Incau and new
member Marc Torretti making their mark with some quite stunning guitars
throughout, joined by the backbone rhythm section consisting of Ronnie Wolf on drums,
Emilio Barrantes on bass and keeping it all symphonic on keyboards
Alex Seiberl.
The
album opens up in spectacular style with the title track ‘New Shores’
and instantly you can feel how the bands sound has developed since their last
album. There is a power and momentum about the band now and with Dätwyler’s
outstanding vocals making their mark from the off, this album excels right
from the opener.
The
fine symphonic metal refrain is continues with the mighty ‘Two Dreams’,
again another high quality slice of grandiose metal with Wolf and Barrates
at the forefront of the attack on this one, a double kick powerhouse and
thumping bass lines make this one along with some soar away keys.
The
sheer depth on this album is awesome with intricate licks mixed with some
titanic rhythm sections all wrapped around Dätwyler’s tremendous vocal
presence. This is shown in barrel loads on the likes of ‘The
Incredibles' and the excellent kick ass tones of ‘The Chosen Ones’,
both
superb tracks that show the bands mix of hardened metal with the more
gentile side of things.
‘Into
The Dissonance’ is where Dätwyler really shines, as she shows her
ability to mix the more mellower element with a more angst power driven
vocal without sounding stretched in any way and with D’Incau and
Torretti firing on all six, this is one of my many favourites from the
album.
As
each track unfolds you're taken over by an overwhelming sense of ... why
aren’t this band the major success? ... they should be! ... with such songs like
‘The Day The Falcon Dies’ with its towering melodies and then
there’s the quite magnificent ‘Farewell My Love’, which sees Dätwyler
duetting with John Payne (Asia) on what has to be the best ballad you’ll
hear this year.
In
a similar vain is ‘Heart Of A Lion’, this time Dätwyler goes it alone
then it’s the more the traditional Symphonic overtures with the mighty
‘My Hardest Walk’ before returning to the more gentle sounds of
‘Winds Of Heaven’, as Dätwyler and the keyboards of Seiberl get this
triumphant melody underway.
The
album closes on another high with ‘How Did It Come To This’ and as the
track before, Dätwyler shows her extensive vocal range as she brings this
magnificent album to close in true style and grace.
Sascha
Paeth has really brought out the best in the band with his production of
the album, but there has to be a seed before the tree grows and for me
Lunatica have always had that seed and now all their endeavors will surely
bear fruit in 2009. They are definitely one band to watch out for this year for sure.
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