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November 2024

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[ More Music Reviews ]

The Dark Element: Songs The Night Sings

Symphonic/Melodic/Power Metal Rock

5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 06.11.2019 | Released: 08.11.2019

Songs The Night Sings marks the return of The Dark Element, the metal band started by vocalist Anette Olzon (ex-Nightwish) and guitar/songwriter Jani Liimatainen (ex-Sonata Arctica, Cains Offering) in 2017. The new album arrives with their new drummer, Rolf Pilve. And, if there were awards for the best album name of the year, Songs The Night Sings would get my vote. Quite intriguing.

Anette Olzon and Jani Liimatainen

Call this album merely chapter two for The Dark Element as it builds upon the work begun on their self-titled debut album. Basically, Olzon and Liimatainen deliver more symphonic and melodic power metal wrapped in generous amounts of melody, vocal harmony, speed, and rock rhythm and groove. I'm not sure the songs within are more epic and bombastic then the previous album, but they do excel in hard rock groove. Ms Olzon, as usual, is in fine form; the strength and range of her voice is fantastic. For his part, Liimatainen lays down some marvelous guitar solos, in between programming synth orchestration.

As for the songs, they're all pretty killer. For some symphonic power metal tunes powered by rock groove, enjoy Silence Between Words, Pills On My Pillow, and Not Your Monster, where all three songs have catchy refrains. For some songs more heavy and dense from riffs, drums, and orchestration, listen for When It All Comes Down and Get Out Of My Head. To Whatever End takes a softer start developing into a rising symphonic metal ballad. With If I Had A Heart, The Dark Element delivers something more akin to symphonic melodic hard rock wrapped in catchy AOR arena accessibility. All said, with Songs The Night Sings, The Dark Element delivers another compelling and entertaining album of their, now trademark, melodic and symphonic power metal rock. Outstanding and quite recommended.

Deaf Rat: Ban The Light

Heavy Rock/Metal

3.5/5.0

So when did Swedish hard rock and glam band Billion Dollar Babies evolve into Deaf Rat? I'm not quite sure, and promotional information isn't forthcoming. But Deaf Rat ... [ Read More ]

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

With Songs The Night Sings, The Dark Element delivers another compelling and entertaining album of their, now trademark, melodic and symphonic power metal rock. Outstanding and quite recommended.

Alphabetical Index

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 ]