amaranthe amaranthe

Released: 13 April 2011 Label: Spinefarm

In 2008 the Swedish / Danish metal band Amaranthe ran into a studio and sailed back out with a four song demo CD. Three years and twelve songs later, they have been snapped up and have given birth to their debut album Amaranthe.

As the album is torn open, the first song we get is Leave Everything Behind. With a racing start, the song is forcefully unzipped with a slicing pick-slide from the frantic guitar of Olof Morck. Before the album can go a note further, they have clarified their genre; you can tell a metal band when the intro to a song has a pick-slide! From the outburst of the distorted screams of Andy Solvestrom, the band has hit the ground running. With the link between the crisp clean vocals of Elize Ryd and almost ‘poppy’ vocals of Jake E. Lundberg, the band have pitched a perfect establishing shot for an album.

The second helping on the album is appropriately called Hunger. Put it this way, there’s plenty to munch on. We have nothing but rampant texture all the way through. The mixture of the chaotic, lung- scratching echo’s from Solvestrom, bound with the commercial vocals of Ryd and Lundberg have paid off and have given a solid, wholly hit.

Automatic is one of the fastest songs on the album. Even so, its quirky opening is a little tamer than other tracks. Still, no complaints, it’s a good tune. As a belting solo kicks in, the song simply burns deep back into its heavy roots. If you’re looking for a toe tapping number, this is probably your choice!

Speaking of variety, Amaranthine is just beautiful. It is a ‘put this on repeat’ song! It is the slowest track on the album and not really heavy. It’s a kick in the teeth to anyone who would say all the songs sound the same. Ryd’s vocals in the intro are at their best. She displays her vocal versatility without any resistance. Same goes for Lundberg, he’s nothing but on full form! Hinged with the delicate keyboard accompaniment and steady drumming from Morton Lowe, the song is so pure. As the song turns a little heavier it builds up to the eye closing solo. To be frank, there seems to be about three different genres in this song, melody VS metal with some classic rock thrown in there. If that’s not an exotic display of musical compatibility then who knows what is!

Fast track back to the metal and we get Call Out My Name. Its speedy keyboard opening sets up the podium for the rolling-mawl of distortion. With the thuds from Lowe’s drums, the song is ready for a storm. With the addition of the vocals, the song is plagued with melodic death metal. It is the heaviest on the album and will get your eyes narrowing, your pout sprouting and your neck moving. Yes, it is an angsty, ‘I’m like a freight train from hell’ song.

The final flourish is Serendipity. It’s still kept its melodic metal foundations and it’s not one of the heaviest on the album. Maybe it’s the commercialised vocals that hide the heaviness.  Again, it’s not a bad song and once again they have shown their ability to vary their styles.

All in all it is a worthwhile album. It’s one of those albums where each song comes from a different angle yet it still clings to its roots. To say this is their debut album they have done one hell of production.

by Kathryn Longbottom