Not so silent anymore
-- Avatarium --
10/06/2022
Stijn Daneels
Album genres:
| ■ | Doom Metal |
Album artists:
| ■ | Marcus Jidell | Guitars, piano, cello, keyboards, backing vocals |
| ■ | Jennie-Ann Smith | Lead vocals |
| ■ | Mats Rydström | Bass |
| ■ | Rickard Nilsson | Organ |
| ■ | Andreas Johansson | Drums, percussion |
Review
written by David Hardy.
This is my
first encounter with the band Avatarium and it has been a
pleasant one! Their new single “God is silent” cuddles the
ears so nicely that we want to stay listening even in the morning
with a cup of coffee! Singer Jennie-Ann Smith has a vocal tone made me think
of Barbara Streisand. Ok, Barbara Streisand is not a metal artist but
trust me, Jennie-Ann has a voice that’s just as exceptional
and operatic and as metal as it can be.
THE DISCOVERY
In case
you don’t know Avatarium (unlikely, but still) they’re a Swedish doom metal act whose new single
showcases a wonderful snger, crushing guitars, sweeping melodies and
a great producer at the helm, specifically the band’s guitarist Marcus
Jidell. This first single
is meant to promote Avatarium’s upcoming album "Death, where
is your Sting" which will be their fifth full-length and
will be out on this October 21 via AFM Records.
So, I’ve
listened to their new single "God is silent" with a lot of joy
even though it's not perfect. We just feel the professionalism on
all levels ... it feels like there’s a really good sound engineer who
knows how to get all the necessary sounds and emotions across to
make this one great song! It features thunderous guitar riffs backed by
dreamy keyboards evoking a nightmarish yet seductive atmosphere.
However, the song is a bit too long in my opinion. I would’ve
preferred shortening the lengthy solo in the single’s middle
part that just feels that it’s there because… I don’t get me wrong,
it’s not poorly played but... I don't feel it was necessary for
this section to be this long. 4:42 to 5:42 is the part I would
cut out because it doesn’t add or change anything to the song except providing
a redundant and painful weightiness. Good thing the band wraps up their “God
Is Silent” single with the same melodic power as they did during most of this tune.
THE CONCLUSION
All in all, Avantarium’s “God is silent” single
clearly was an interesting tune that gave me
the ideal opportunity to thoroughly look at the band and listen to
them... and you know what? I loved it! If the other songs on
Avatarium’s upcoming “Death, where is your sting” album are as good as they
know how to can be (catchy melodies and with a good
balance between vocals and music) I think we’re up for another great
Avatarium release. If you enjoyed Avatarium before you’ll probably love
this single too but, of course, that’s up to you to decide. Enjoy the single!
MY SCORE
8/10