Italy

Review of Armonight’s “Tales From The Heart” at Sonic Cathedral

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And on the heels of my Kamelot interview comes a new CD review. Well, the review’s not about Kamelot – but I guess I’ve busy lately for Sonic Cathedral!

Armonight is the latest of myriad Italian female-fronted rock and metal bands to have their turn in the spotlight. The band formed in 2007 and crafted a heartfelt blend of melodic, symphonic, and gothic rock and metal. Tales From The Heart, Armonight’s second album, betters the band’s 2010 debut album, Suffering and Passion, in that it features more polished songwriting with improved sound quality. While I thought the band could further experiment with their music, I still liked Tales From The Heart more each time I listened to it.  That quality was redeeming enough to convince that Armonight are indeed on the right path artistically.

Click here to read my review of Armonight’s Tales From The Heart.

New @ Sonic Cathedral: Cardamon Review & Laura Macri Interview

/ saraletourneau / Leave a comment

Hello, again!

Two new articles I wrote were posted at Sonic Cathedral last week. Here are summaries on both pieces.

First is my review of Cardamon’s second album, Sun As Never. This alternative rock/metal band from Utrecht, Netherlands has joined the growing trend of taking a heavier musical approach for the purposes of stronger live performances. For Cardamon, whose debut CD The Primrose Path was critically acclaimed for its melancholy and its balance of electric and acoustic sections, this first step in its evolution is not a surprise. It’s also a fairly shaky one. To find out why, click here to read my review of Cardamon’s Sun As Never.

Next is my interview with the Italian opera singer Laura Macrì. The 21-year-old made her metal debut on MaYaN’s Quarterpast last May and has performed with the band (a symphonic death metal side project of Epica guitarist/grunter Mark Jansen) in The Netherlands and across South America. But, who is this young lady? How did she become part of MaYaN? What are her aspirations for her music (both opera and metal) career? And, will she perform with MaYaN this September at ProgPower? You’ll find out by clicking here to read my interview with Laura!

January is shaping up to be a busy month for me at Sonic Cathedral. Our Best of 2011 article should go online this week. I also have articles “in the pipeline” for The Mariana Hollow, and possibly Beyond the Bridge and Xandria. Stay tuned!

~ Sara