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Fourth Circle: Elements

Symphonic Power Metal

3.0/5.0

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Massacre Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 27.10.2016

"What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun." So said the wise King Solomon. It may sum up, at the start, the latest and second album, Elements, from French female-fronted symphonic power metal band Fourth Circle.

Fourth Circle

Even the description "female-fronted symphonic power metal band" tells you everything you need to know about Fourth Circle and their sound. Shall we discuss the proper elements? An operatic female vocalist. Brisk riffage, heavy at times. Necessary soaring guitar solos. A rhythm section which can move from moderation to gallop. And, of course, the sin qua non of the genre: large, bombastic and encompassing, orchestral arrangements. It's all here, as you would and should expect.

Can you say Nightwish? Epica? Within Temptation? Sirenia. Fourth Circle is in good company. The question is, are they offering anything different or extraordinary then their peers? Nope. Not really. Did anything or any song stand out? Not so much. Was anything a disappointment? My expectations were low.

With Elements, Fourth Circle offers quintessential and well-crafted, yet equally predictable, female-fronted symphonic power metal. Same style of music, just a different band and album. If you like this style of music, by all means indulge yourself. Enough words have been sacrificed at the altar of verbosity in this review.

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With Elements, Fourth Circle offers quintessential and well-crafted, yet equally predictable, female-fronted symphonic power metal. Same style of music, just a different band and album. If you like this style of music, by all means, indulge yourself.

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