Good day!
Well .. Or so it blaring out of my boxes since a few days. Whether "The Nexus", "Afterlife" or "Burn with me", many of the new songs know to convince immediately. And of course they sound somehow similar to all, and even parallels to the debut album can be drawn. But as the saying goes? "Never change a running system." And to that formation of the sympathetic Swedes (+ one or two Danes. I'm not sure in the number) also remains. And what comes out of it? A great album, what else?
As with its predecessor passing the album a befitting! "Afterlife" bangs like hard and fast around the ears as "Leave everything behind." But why accept other amendments, if it works yet? Ok. At the fifth album that would certainly "annoying", but here we are "only" the second ;-)
Directly it goes on with the second catchy Birther "Invincible". Something "softer" because more female voice, you go there to here. For this you will be presented with a cooler guitar solo. It has also always felt that the three voices are perfectly matched and can be used more or less equally. Certainly, from merch reasons, Elize sings a little more often than Andy (Screams). But whatever! The mixture fits and the song is awesome!
It follows the already known, pre-release song "The Nexus", which you certainly already know before buying the album. Both the video and the song are great, even slight futuristic. Clear .. the style conceals practical this comparison and the band knows this perfectly well on and implement.
With "Theory of Everything" you get the fourth tidbits delivered which gets going with a kick-ass riffs and impresses with its super solo work. After four songs I can not connect my speakers who thought that it goes to work on the album rather slow. On The Contrary. Such a rapid entry is rare to find. Only "The Nexus" is something "more slowly". But however that may be. With the theory show us Amaranthe another super hot song. And "Stardust" is there less boring. Another cool song, with Elize as supporting vocalist.
"Burn with me" is then finally a song, which begins once more slowly, and more epic than anyone else. My dear glee club! Metal Ballads are just what fine, this one is no exception. Surely this song drips before Schnulz and American flair, .. but no matter! It's peak and live safely very atmospheric.
Song number seven, "Mechanical Illusion", acting as already boring. And well .. added. The second single is lagging behind the first lot. Unfortunately, a small failure, if you can dub it so. Of course, a solid piece, but not outstanding.
"Razorblade" is little bit more interesting. Here fits again the mixture and the melody. As "Automatic" can be experienced here probably a "disco shock", comes at least the driving chorus so over (if you would leave the guitar * grin *). But reduces the impression no means!
"Future on Hold" is now the ninth track. And as already mentioned: One can find the thread again, which runs through all the songs somehow. I do not know how far the genre what Amaranthe play on, has room for variety, but perhaps it may annoy the one or the other at some point. Personally, I find the song class. And the claim that Andy less growls I can not confirm. I tend to feel that it's a bit more than on the debut. Even more solos can be admired.
"Electro Heart" is the tenth track. Geez .. drives but! In the lower third album certainly the highlight, the release loses to the center, as well as the debut, some momentum. Seen but bearable bottom line, because the songs were distributed wisely.
"Transhuman" and "Infinity" then rippling towards the end of the album in an honorable way and one bows again the audience for its patience. Both solid numbers that best meet here in the genre.
Well .. what remains finally to say? There are no 100% owned 5 star, I gave there. Rather 4.51 stars that I rounded up blind with one eye. Personally, I find it fatal when the debut ever for stamping as "the better Output". I would argue that it does not matter in what order you have these two albums released since the same style is played unswervingly on both albums.
"The Nexus" I find, however, better to 8 centimeters, because the songs a little adult, consistent and be played with more solos, enthusiasm and authenticity. On the debut I have "only" three outstanding songs found ("Leave Everything Behind", "Automatic" and "call out my name"). There are, however, already five! That may just be because I'm a friend of the "advancements"'m generally, especially in this young band, although the word "evolution" is rather misplaced. You just played more consistent songs. The album hits until 8th song "just so through", since it simply drives and is good! And this very fact manages the Scandinavians here better than on the debut. The mixture of the singer is somewhat successful, and I believe that Elize generally durable is used, as well as Andy. Something submerge does Jack E., the Clear Vocalist. Musically everything is in balance.
Finally, of course, a strong buy recommendation is to pronounce. The modern sound and the great cover captivate the listener with almost a brilliance that is rarely found. Great band, great album!
In this sense,
"See the Nexus in my dreams!"
M. Tack
