Blinding Force, 2009
8/10
Echoterra is a Minneapolis-based entrant into the ever-growing ranks of female-fronted symphomic metal bands. The brainchild of guitarist Yan Leviathan (Avian) and keyboardist Jonah Weingarten (Pyramaze), Echoterra’s lineup was rounded out in 2008 with bassist Brian Hollenbeck (Avian), drummer John Gensmer (Epicurean), and Swedish vocalist Suvi Virtanen (ex-Therion). The Law Of One is a respectable debut album that has a surprising Scandanavian feel to it and that isn’t as heavy as the members’ other bands. Songs are relatively straightforward, and the band sticks to a focused, disciplined sound unlike many of their peers (notably, Epica and Nightwish) who strive to cover a multitude of metal sub-genres over the course of an album. “The Will Of Life” opens the proceedings after a short instrumental, and this is about as heavy as the album gets. Jonah isn’t trying to make his keyboards sound like an orchestra, rather, the music incorporates more typical synthesizers alongside Suvi’s operatic vocals. “In Your Eyes” is more typical of most of the album, where keyboards, piano, and vocals carry the melodies while Yan’s guitar primarily beefs up the rhythm section. A couple songs that are essentially just vocals and keyboards, “The Wind Surrounds You” and “To Live Again”, work their way into the middle of the album. The album is indeed heavy at times with songs that incorporate segments with strong riffs and fast tempos, but these parts never dominate songs such as “A Tear Of Her Heart” and “Beyond The Seven Seas”. The result is a well-written album that succeeds in establishing Echoterra as a band well worth a listen. One also gets the feeling that the full potential of Echoterra is not even close to being realized, so I expect that even greater things are on the horizon as a revamped lineup gets the chance to function more as a cohesive band.
Echoterra will be making their live debut as support for Epica at Station 4 in St. Paul on Saturday, February 6. Additional support will come from Threat Signal, Blackguard, Gracepoint, and Dread Veil.
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