Amaranthe is far to achieve unanimity. During the release of their first album, the Swedish group had been tagged, wrongly, to be the next generation of melodic death by an advertising agency. This agency, unable to tell the difference between mariachi and a black metal band has stuck a false label to the group and disappointed fans of the genre. For the neophytes, Amaranthe is somewhat comparable to Deadlock.

Line-up:

• Elize Ryd - vocals
• Andy Solveström - screams
• Jake E - vocals
• Olof Mörck - guitars & keys
• Johan Andreassen - bass
• Morten Løwe Sørensen - drums

Tracklist:

1. Afterlife
2. Invincible
3. The Nexus
4. Theory Of Everything
5. Stardust
6. Burn With Me
7. Mechanical Illusion
8. Razorblade
9. Future On Hold
10. Electroheart
11. Transhuman
12. Infinity

The group has within it three singers Elize Ryd(touring vocalist of Kamelot) deals with clear female singing while Jake E and Andy Solveströmdeal with male voices (respectively the first clear songs and “scream” for second) in addition to the vocal contrast, the group surprised the audience by adorning their music a pop sound and transition even sometimes a bit electro. These characteristics have made Amaranthe a particular group which soon found a solid fan-base in the image of their musical identity: unique.

If I was overly skeptical at my first listen of the eponymous album, I surprised myself to give a second chance! (Never stop yourself because of a bad first impression!) It is during this replay, that I discovered the addictive power of Amaranthe’s music! This album quickly became one of the most played in my music library!

Two years and many lives after the release of this album, it’s time for the group to add the second line to their burgeoning discography. It is therefore with unfeigned waiting I discovered this new album and here is the verdict after several listening and some stupid dance on my chair!

When I discovered the metal, a bunch of years ago, I was told: “There are two schools in metal, one that makes you move your hips like Led Zepp, and one that makes you shake your head as Black Sabbath!” Amaranthe has the rare privilege of being part of the two categories. Songs like “Electroheart” and “Razorblade"makes us quickly move our buttocks: their choruses and arrangements “electro-pop” (in a non-pejorative meaning) give a catchiness and affordable style to these two songs! Conversely, a title like ”Mechanical Illusion“ pats much more within the metalcore. On this song, the voices are more aggressive and present!

The construction of the more extreme tracks sometimes makes me think of Soilwork or Within Y (of which Andy Solveström is also the singer).

The key elements of the first opus are new present and some similarities can be drawn between the two albums: ”Theory Of Everything“ has a musical line somewhat similar to ”100,000 Lightyears“ from of the eponymous album of the group. Among the key elements specific to Amaranthe, the most significant is probably the ability enjoyed by the group to lay refrains that install easily and stealthily in our minds to stay there for many hours, as in ”The Nexus“, the first single from this album.

But Amaranthe does not only reproduce their first album, the band do even better! The consistency between the three types of voice is even more striking than before. Lines songs seem to be more evenly distributed, providing an equal share of “micro-time” to three vocalists. The increased presence of soli is not displeasing; allowing the group to signal to their detractors that Amaranthe is a real metal formation.

The most notable lack is no doubt the one of a piece in the mold of ”Amaranthine“ beautiful ballad present on “Amaranthe”. The fans of peaceful music (everything is relative) and ballads will have to settle for ”Burn With Me“ and its slowed tempo in regard to the rest of the album. This piece is quiet but extremely pleasant; the scent of melancholy chorus makes it a flagship song of this album.

Signed with Universal, Amaranthe also took the opportunity to care for their clips. ”Hunger“ had already set the tone two years before ”The Nexus“! Because again, we have the pleasure of discovering a video closer to a trailer of a Hollywood blockbuster rather than the clip of a Swedish metal band! This change therefore from the eternal “live” footage of which we are accustomed.

Like its predecessor, the album requires several listening to be fully appreciated at its true value. Amaranthe offers a new album of undeniable quality, with songs that should show all their efficiency in live! The intrinsic quality of this album, but also of the group confirms that they can play the “big guys” and dare to claim a place of co-headliner on the next tour of Stratovarius! This is probably one of my favourite albums of the year, let it be said!

Highlights: Invincible, The Nexus, Burn With Me