Music From The Others - Doom Crossovers
One of the interesting facts Ive found out about Symphonic Metal is that a lot of the bands in the genre change from one genre to another. For instance one of the first metal bands to actually incorporate a full symphony with choirs and play classically inspired music is Therion, but they didn't start out that way. In fact they originated more as Death Metal band and slipped into an Experimental Doom style and then Gothic Metal form. I am sharing my first bookmarks I kept from them, it's from one of their highest acclaimed release "Lemuria" (2004)
The Gathering is another band labeled as Gothic Metal and even SM despite the fact that they were simply an alt-rock styled atmospheric band with some mildly orchestrated parts, but because they began as an all-Doom early Thrash band (see Always 1992) they kept that cred. My opinion of The Gathering was 100% chick metal. Their stuff never grabbed me, I was simply into way more heavier sounds. But here, after all this time, I have a great appreciation for a few songs here and there. I love the songs so much that it's easy for me to see how they have a ginormous following world wide of absolutely hysterically fanatical fans who adore their prize possession - singer Anneke Van Giersbergen. Even as their styles changed, their fans continued to grow. Now Anneke has departed and in comes Silje Wergeland from Octavia Sperati (Doom Metal NL see previous posts: The First Batch, and Music from the Others P1) and yet another era for TG has begun. I figure I should start linking TG songs with my first (as it was with so many people) from 1995's landmark release "Mandylion", the song is called Strange Machines, and is about being in control of a time machine.
Aesma Daeva is a project from Spain. Their music is very atmospheric and angelic at the same time. Some of it harkens The Gathering, with the vocals of hanging overhead. Artmis is the first song I bookmarked from them, and it has some magical moments, it seems to fit here in this group as they are one of those bands that are in-between genres, in this case atmospheric and Gothic Metal.
The Gathering - Strange Machines (1995, Netherlands Alt/Metal)
From one of the most influential and highly acclaimed and loved releases from The Gathering, this song is quite possibly the one song which has introduced the most people to one band. A simple and infectious groove resembles much darker bands and days in fact. But the very obvious standout here is the angelic floating voice of superstar Anneke Van Giersbergen. Her seamless vocals feel as effortless as any and her impossible clarity and masterful range is on complete display here making Strange Machines a penultimate classic. For me to include this song, and this band in a blog about mostly Female-Fronted Metal is such an obvious choice I can only excuse its inclusion by simple fact I would have never gave this song a true chance if not for the fact that I found out the singer Silje (Octavia Sperati) was replacing Anneke. So I was an outsider and this song made me look deeper into their varied discography. I feel this song will continue to recruit others into fans, well into the future as this song sounds fresh today in 2010 as I could only imagine it did in 1995.
Therion - Utharka Runa 2004 Sweden Symphonic Metal/Progressive/Gothic
The intro is a sampling of epic Power Metal in a near to Classic True Metal style, and it gives way to the first full-choir round with the feel of a Gothic Symphony. Therion is a group of rotating members, each changing up the style of each release. But what makes them so special is the high level of musicianship and it rings true very quickly here. The slow heavy grinding rhythm is pounded out with harmonized dueling guitars. An operatic middle section paves the way for a real metal breakdown that simply must be heard. Symphony X, Nightwish, Judas Priest all are channeled in to build up the breakneck Speed Metal ending. Special indeed.
Aesma Daeva - Artemis - Gothic Doom Metal, atmospheric
From the start, a spooky melody overlays harmonized guitars in a slow doom-like mood. This is more what I could consider as Gothic Metal than the norm of hybrids HIM/Type-O Negative styled bands. The soft vocal is delicately delivered but still cuts through even the heavy passages. This is very powerful and the space provided is a nice departure from overtly aggressive songs. But dont let that keep you from listening to it loud. The song is much more impressive with the levels up where you get to feel full range of sound all the way to last unresolved hanging note.
Next update: More Violins
