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From Light Rose The Angels: S/T
From Light Rose The Angels - 2014 CD Album Review

From Light Rose The Angels: S/T

Symphonic/Melodic Rock/Metal
4.0/5.0

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Unsigned / Self-released
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 23.10.2014

Call her a chameleon, or maybe just versatile, but vocalist VK Lynne has reinvented herself. When I last heard from Lynne, four years ago, she was doing something akin to country pop rock, and was pretty darn good at it. Now, with From Light Rose The Angels, she's doing symphonic melodic rock and metal wrapped up in a goth and steam punk hybrid motif. When asked, via email, about the change of direction, Lynne simply stated, "It was just the direction my writing was taking." Good for her.

From Light Rose The Angels Photo

From Light Rose The Angels: usual weirdness.

Considering that description of From Light Rose The Angels, one might think of the usual suspects from the European symphonic power metal arena. But not so fast. There are some of those traditional elements. Obviously, one is the abundant symphonic layer found in The Grey, Selfish, and Proud 2B, for example. And the whole female vocalist angle is the same, but better (read on). On several songs they have one male dude doing those annoying death growls and destroying perfectly good songs. How novel is that? Not much.

Not that it isn't being done elsewhere, but what sets FLRtA apart is the timbre of the songs. A rock groove, haunting melodies, and catchy lyrics give the songs an accessible, friendly, almost pop, feel and focus. Blood Roses and Tear Down the Horizon are good examples. One impression was that this is what Taylor Swift would sound like if she did goth symphonic rock. But that's quite unfair to VK Lynne because she is ten times the better vocalist and better songwriter. And, ultimately, Lynne is what sets From Light Rose The Angels apart and maybe even above other bands in the field. VK Lynne is an exceptional vocalist. I'm talking goose bump giving good. One listen to The Grey, whether in its full cinematic flourish at the start or the acoustic version at the end, will convince you. Most other songs do the same. Yeah, I'm a fan and love her voice.

After all these things, you simply have some well-crafted and entertaining songs. The single bother is those stupid death growls. Their inclusion in Selfish does nothing for this terrific song except to diminish it. Nevertheless, with their catchy symphonic rock angle, VK Lynne and From Light Rose The Angels are definitely on to something good and have a promising future. Easily recommended.


From Light Rose the Angels - EP song sampler


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In Short

With their catchy symphonic rock angle, VK Lynne and From Light Rose The Angels are definitely on to something good and have a promising future. Easily recommended.

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