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Lunatica: New Shores

Lunatica: New Shores

Melodic/Symphonic Metal/Rock
Rating: 4.25/5.0

Napalm Records
www.lunatica.ch
www.myspace.com/lunaticametal
Added February 28, 2009
Review: Craig Hartranft

Musical times being what they are, female fronted metal or rock bands are about a dime a dozen right now, particularly in the gothic or symphonic genres. Therefore, it takes quite a bit more than the usual stuff to, one, capture my attention, and two, keep my interest. Luckily, Lunatica's 'New Shores' did both. But conversely, this work is neither groundbreaking or astonishing. Additionally, except for a few pieces, there is not that mundane sameness from song to song that you would find on most offerings of this kind. Rather, because I didn't know what to expect from one song to the next Lunatica kept my interest.

If there is any common musical thread running through 'New Shores' it is melodic heavy metal. Key occurrences include Two Dreamers, Into The Dissonance, and The Day The Falcon Dies. All of these are marked by sound melodic arrangements with impressive guitar solos and catchy choruses. However, two numbers, The Incredibles and The Chosen Ones, stand above the others simply for their infectious arrangements and solemn sociopolitical content.

Lunatica throws you some musical curves throughout 'New Shores.' The unusual and captivating arrangement of My Hardest Walk finds them exploring more progressive metal trends. On Heart Of The Lion, with a nearly melodic pop rock style, Lunatica ventures wholly outside the bounds of metal to deliver an impressive and endearing song. Much of the same could be said for Farewell My Love, a stirring ballad that is too slippery to be placed within melodic rock or metal.

Lunatica's New Shores offers a surprisingly varied and creative mix of styles that keeps you listening and entertained. Though not entirely breaking free from monolith that is female fronted metal bands, Lunatica definitely offers something more than the passing ordinary of others in their field. Good stuff.


In Short

Lunatica's New Shores offers a surprisingly varied and creative mix of styles that keeps you listening and entertained. Though not entirely breaking free from monolith that is female fronted metal bands, Lunatica definitely offers something more than the passing ordinary of others in their field. Good stuff.

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