Floor Jansen to join Delain for a guest appearance
Delain’s special show on October 31st will feature two special guests – Nightwish singer/bass player Marco Hietala and back-in-the-headlines Floor Jansen.
Although the show is sold out you can also find plenty of great information about Delain and their stirring metal music at: www.delain.nl
We have been mentioning Delain on Twitter for a while but the links between Twitter and WordPress are still very basic. You can follow Delain via @DelainInt and we think you should!
Metal Rools!
Update on “The Fallen”
To avoid a clash with another group, Carly Smithson and band (which includes some former members of Evanescence) have changed their name to We Are The Fallen.
So while it is not as catchy, the first single – Bury Me Alive – definitely is – especially if you love a style very similar to early Evanescence!
On their website wearethefallen.com the band announced:
Thanks so much for all of the positive feedback we received for “Bury Me Alive”, not to mention the overwhelming response to the free download! There is more great stuff coming soon. If you didn’t register wefor the free download you can still sign up and you’ll be notified of future offers and all of the great things coming soon to wearethefallen.com including the full site launch!
New Lacuna Coil – single Spellbound and album Shallow Life
Lacuna Coil will release their fifth album Shallow Life on April 17 :: the first single from the album, Spellbound, is released today :: with trademark guitar riffs, solid beat and swapping vocals, fans of their sound will not be disappinted :: it has a catchy chorus which we’ll all be singing in no time.
according to superstar singer Cristina Scabbia, the video for the single was filmed in Australia in February with a “shallow and glamorous theme” :: the costume for the video was designed by Dolce & Gabbana and was set in a gold mine
in an interview about the album, Cristina stated, “It’s different, but it’s our style. We haven’t done anything absolutely different from our style, because that wouldn’t be natural, that would be weird – it wouldn’t be us. The songs are definitely more powerful, more complete, more intense, more straight-to-the-point”.
Andrea Ferro added, “We’ve put more attention on the real meaning of the songs, so the vocals are a bit more prominent. We’ve worked a lot on the pronunciation of the words in English, so people really understand the meanings of the words. There are strong choruses, where people can relate and really understand what we mean”.
the single has been posted by Lacuna Coil to their MySpace here – go listen.
After Forever update – sad update – they have quit
Despite some positive comments towards the end of 2008, the members of After Forever have decided to continue their ‘holiday’ of last year and are unlikely to work together again as a band. The message on their website reads:
“As band members, but also as friends, we’ve experienced so very much; highs and lows, good times and bad. We’ll keep supporting each other in all of our various individual projects and continue inspiring one another in making music. Our MySpace page www.myspace.com/afterforever will be used for updates on all of these projects and of course After Forever-related news, as well.”
Click their logo to go to the official announcement:
My thanks to LAST.FM friend André for the update: http://www.last.fm/user/wa_laan
This post updates our previous – hopeful – one about the possibilities of new After Forever music in 2009: here
Epica and Lacuna Coil to play at Graspop in June
Graspop Metal Festival
Epica and and Lacuna Coil are being listed to play at the 14th edition of the Graspop Metal Meeting, set to take place June 26-28 on the festival grounds of the Boeretang in Dessel, Belgium
Epica have been described as “epic, grand and majestic”, which suits their name and also the fantastic vocals of Simone Simons with all the power and clarity of her mezzo-soprano range
in other Epica news, they have announced that Isaac Delahaye will be their new fulltime guitarist to replace Ad :: you can see the new lineup at the Paaspop festival at Schijndel in the Netherlands on April 12th
Lacuna Coil are down in Australia for February, followed by March, April and May in the States :: having seen them recently in the UK, when they were quite awesome, all this extra touring may see an even better band on their return to Europe
Dakota Fanning is ideal for a part in new Twilight movie, New Moon
Dakota Fanning, just hovering on her 15th birthday, is in the frame to join returning stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner in the next Twilight movie, New Moon. The plan is for Dakota to play Jane, the petite yet powerful vampire with the special ability to inflict mental pain.
Reports suggest the young actress was invited to play the part, following her role in War of the Worlds and her likeness to the description of Jane: Botticelli angel-like face … and crimson irises. Dakota has said, “I’m a big fan of the cast. To join it would be a really great honor and I really hope that it works out.”
She added that playing an evil vampire would be “really cool” and it would probably be the “most fun part” – not surprising for a 15 year old to say!
Heavy Metal Tennis – soundtrack to the coming season of fashion and music
There are already two big-hitting Russians in the semi-finals at the Australian Open. Depending on the next few hours, there could be four!!
Vera Zvonareva
Yes, the world of commerce is often dominated by Russian oligarchs and their multi-national interests, the catwalks are often graced by Russian and east-European models, and the modern wealthy art buyers are often Russians. Further, some of the best music clubs, boutiques and restaurants in the world are in Moscow.
Svetlana Kuznetsova
Meanwhile, back at the tennis, Vera Zvonareva (photo 1, left) defeated Marion Bartoli of France in one quarter-final (in an easy 6-3, 6-0), and Dinara Safina overpowered comeback kid Jelena Dokic of Australia in a 3-set slugfest (6-4, 4-6, 6-4) to set up her semi-final with Zvonareva. So that’s Russia v Russia.
We then have No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva (Russia) looking likely to win over unexpected opponent Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain. So perhaps the only non-Russian hope is if Serena Williams (USA) can win against Svetlana Kuznetsova (photo 2, right). With results of 6-2, 6-2 and 7-6, 6-4 coming into the match, Kuznetsova’s form is similar to the Williams wins of 6-3, 7-5 and 6-1, 6-4. Curiously, both players won their fourth round matches when their opponents retired.
Dinara Safina muscle tone
One important feature of the modern Russian game is the addition of finesse and style to their traditional power and grit. It might not always be pretty, but it is attractive in its own Amazonian way as these modern players combine purity of skill with rugged counter-punches.
Elena Dementieva catwalk queen
Athleticism is also a key as we have seen this last fortnight, with wonderful shoulders and lean but powerful muscle (Safina, Dementieva, Sharapova) alongside the stocky power-hitters (Kuznetsova, Kleybanova).
Talking of style and tone, which we sort of were, just look at the muscle tone of Safina (photo 3, left). Yet these modern Amazons are also perfectly happy on the dance floor or even the catwalk, as you can see with Dementieve (photo 4, right) from a fashion shoot.
The soundtrack of the future is fit. All praise.
Black Symphony DVD :: Within Temptation :: Feature Review part 2
The introduction to Our Solemn Hour is met with a huge cheer from the audience, and then the song explodes and so does the entire arena. Sharon in her shoulder-feathers leads proceedings and the whole orchestra and choir are in full flight again. Next the rousing The Other Half Of Me and another special guest, the lively George Oosthoek, with all the necessary growls and menace. Another wonderfully theatrical moment, which the audience loved.
Next, for Frozen, the band took centre stage again to rock out a little, followed by the ethereal The Promise that was given extra lift by the whole majesty of the venue. Truly a thrilling version, with Sharon willing the crowd to enjoy. The anthem that is Angels brought both the enormous angels on stage and the audience to full voice. Spectacular, and more tears for the beauty of the song and the overwhelming experience.
The flute and choir lead you in and then suddenly the stage and musicians explode into Mother Earth – another crowd-pleasing anthem performed with gusto. The male choir was, of course, thrilling in the live setting, so another classic performance. The Truth Beneath The Rose followed, again emphasising the majesty and range of WT music and Sharon’s voice, plus the magic of the live performance with the orchestra. Truly a perfect example of the talents of all the musicians and their songwriting, and a fitting climax.
Except for the thunderous encores of Deceiver of Fools with another exquisite costume change for Sharon. Next up is All I Need with ballet backdrop and is a much-appreciated sing-along by the audience. Sharon’s vocals again travel a wide range and leave this listener in awe.
So to the grand final, Ice Queen, with the audience, again, singing as one! Black Symphony is easily one of the best albums of any year as it captures so much power, majesty and sheer excellence in metal music – whether you call it gothic metal or symphonic metal or symphonic rock. WT rules!!
If you ever need to show an example of female-fronted metal with a commanding singer, just show anyone a track from this DVD. They could not fail to be impressed. Mention must be made of the band, of course, and they are so tight throughout that it seemed churlish to single anyone out. The rhythm section held everything, including the orchestra, together: Stephen van Haestregt on drums and Jeroen van Veen on bass guitar. Martijn Spierenburg (keyboards), Ruud Adrianus Jolie (electric and acoustic guitars) and Robert Westerholt (electric guitars) were precise, and all the guitarists supported Sharon den Adel on stage with their energy and visual emphasis.
Details: The concert features the band accompanied by The Metropole Orchestra and the Pa’dam Choir. It was filmed by 14 HD cameras on February 7, 2008 at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam.
Black Symphony DVD :: Within Temptation :: Feature Review part 1
The Ahoy Arena is one of the premier concert venues in Europe, with fantastic acoustics and wonderful transport efficiency. It is a pleasure to travel to the venue in a way that is so ‘right’ it is astounding that other venues are so bad. This excellent access puts you in a good mood before a concert starts.
Next, of course, is the performance. The Ahoy has hosted everyone from Tina Turner and Janet Jackson, right through the past 15 pop years, and with many classical triumphs as well. When I heard Within Temptation would be recording there, and with a symphony orchestra – wow!!
For the purposes of this review I have ordered the concert in the same sequence as the superb Black Symphony DVD – which cannot be recommended highly enough.
So the Overture is just amazing – orchestra and massed choir in the perfect acoustic setting. Then the band arrives and the sound is awesome. Have never heard Sharon sound so good on Jillian (I’d Give My Heart) and, of course, looking magnificent. The power and majesty continue on The Howling with the orchestra letting rip – so to speak. If anyone doubts the power of Sharon’s vocals, just listen to her in front of that song.
One of my favourite songs, Stand My Ground, comes next and so the tears come too – of joy and wonder. We’re only three songs in and the concert is already a classic. The drums throb next, providing that rumbling backdrop to The Cross, followed by Sharon’s effortless range across husky to pure.
Next is What Have You Done with special guest Keith Caputo, one of WT’s excellent anthems and the crowd cannot help themselves with singing and cheering. It’s like a choir of 10,000 voices. Then it was back to Sharon’s power on Hand of Sorrow, the clarity and range of her mezzo-soprano so evident on this and the following The Heart of Everything. Here I must just mention, also, the huge video screens behind the stage and the very appropriate imagery for each song.
A costume change and a huge cheer for Forgiven, which was nothing short of beautiful. And Sharon too. The piano and orchestra were in perfect harmony and, again, most of the audience were singing the lyrics the whole way through.
Next is another skillful duet, this with Anneke van Giersbergen on Somewhere and its magical interweaving of the two voices. The Swan Song and Memories return to the more mellow style, with the boys all sitting stage front on their instruments.
Part 2 follows …
Best Gothic Metal Band / Best Symphonic Metal Band
Sharon den Adel of Within Temptation
in January 2006, Within Temptation won the Dutch Pop Prize and the Dutch Export Prize (for the best-selling Dutch artist outside the Netherlands) :: this was the third time in a row they had won the Export prize
just notice the ‘Pop’ label :: although they have successfully toured throughout Europe, none of their singles or albums were given wide releases in America :: it’s not until 2008 that all their albums had full release in the US :: the power of the internet music sites, nonetheless, makes Within Temptation appear on just about every list of best gothic/symphonic metal, even in the States
Anette Olzon of Nightwish
Nightwish, on the other hand, promoted themselves through singles and videos in the States, and were rewarded with MTV airplay :: also, again in large part due to the web, the replacement of Tarja Turunen with Anette Olzon added significantly to their public awareness
the 2007 Nightwish album Dark Passion Play went to No 1 in four countries, and Top 10 in eight ::t he recent album release from Within Temptation, Black Symphony, will probably be their most successful, especially as it is the first one with major label support :: Nightwish, on the other hand, had support from both their strong niche labels – Century Media and Nuclear Blast
it may be too early to decide which of these is the best gothic/symphonic metal band, so let’s make them first equal – for now, at least :: your comments are welcome
Forever Slave – Tales For Bad Girls
one of the joys of the internet is the opportunity to discover new music, but also to delve deeper :: YouTube and Last.FM and Pandora are great for providing initial impressions :: what i love is the ability to cross-check all those as well as Wikipedia and the thousands of fan sites
which brings me to Forever Slave as, somehow, they have slipped under my radar for, it would seem, far too long :: the odd song i heard in the past seemed too similar to Evanescence and did not register properly :: so what a surprise to find strong recommendations on Amazon when i was checking Within Temptation and Suicide Girls (you know how the stepping stones can lead all over the place!)
but now, after hearing more and finding a few songs i really like, the band have grown on me :: Equilibrium, for example, provides a great showcase for the two vocalists, and some stirring guitar :: Tristeza shows a better range of Lady Angellyca’s vocals as, somehow, the earlier songs i heard did not seem to capture the full flavour
Forever Slave released their first full length album Alice’s Inferno in 2005 :: the group released their second album Tales for Bad Girls in April 2008 :: described as a Spanish symphonic-gothic metal band, they were formed by Servalath and Lady Angellyca in 2000
: Bronwen
slightly celeb look - sorry
altho born in Australia we believe the family is of Norse descent :: some say Bronwen means ‘white breast’ and i am certainly a natural blond and fair-skinned :: altho i burn easily i still like a little tan so i don’t look like Rocky Horror all of the time.
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