Recent Reviews

November 2024

October 2024

September 2024

August 2024

[ More Music Reviews ]


Amberian Dawn: Innuendo
Amberian Dawn Innuendo CD Album Review

Amberian Dawn: Innuendo

Melodic/Symphonic/Heavy Metal
3.5/5.0

Website Facebook
Napalm Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 21.10.2015

With little doubt, there is a great deal of similarity among today's female-fronted heavy metal bands, especially those in the European theater. (They're few and far between in America). The formula is the same. Some lass with operatic vocals combined with basic melodic heavy metal, touched with some power metal at times, but always steeped in some classical symphonic motif.

Amberian Dawn Innuendo Band Photo

Amberian Dawn

So it is once more with Amberian Dawn and their latest, Innuendo, with vocalist Capri Virkkunen still at the microphone. She's got the typical voice for the genre: melodic, strong, controlled, and operatic, yet not grossly so. In other words, she doesn't try to use her voice as an ice pick to your ear drums. Musically, Amberian Dawn has changed little. The larger content of Innuendo is melodic symphonic metal, often fortified with rock groove and catchy melodies, which give them some sensible accessibility. Fame & Gloria, Ladyhawk, and Knock Knock Who's There are good examples. Alternatively, Amberian Dawn can get large, fast, and ambitious, as with Rise Of Evil. While the breadth of presence in that song comes from the power metal, within Symphony Nr 1, Part 1 - The Witchcraft it rises first from the orchestration, only to be revved up some powerful riffage. The song marches along until riffs eventually turn to a speedy guitar solo. Of additional interest is Angelique. It's the lightest song here moving almost entirely upon Virkkunen's voice with piano and then embellished by lavish orchestration. The song reminds of a soliloquy sung by a female protagonist in the heart, the dramatic turning point, of a great Victorian Broadway musical. Or it will simply remind of how talented a vocalist Capri Virkkunen really is.

So what'sthe bottom line? Simply, though typical of the genre, Innuendo is another fine melodic and symphonic metal album from Amberian Dawn, carried along by the strong song arrangements and exceptional vocals.

Amberian Dawn - Fame & Gloria (Official Video)


CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

In Short

Though typical of the genre, Innuendo is another fine melodic and symphonic metal album from Amberian Dawn, carried along by the strong song arrangements and exceptional vocals.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Lionville: Supernatural Album Review

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]