Year: 2021
Total Time: 52:44
Label: Napalm Records
SIRENIA is a French-Norwegian four-member band that has been around for the last nineteen years, having debutised with “At Sixies And Sevens” in 2002. Like most symphonic metal bands, in their first steps they were producing a rougher and heavier sound, which in the process “softened”, giving more emphasis to epic, imposing melodies which are very reminiscent of the neoclassical musical style.
The story of SIRENIA, of course, does not begin with their debut, since it is essentially the continuation of the course of their leader Morten Veland, when he left TRISTANIA, continuing with SIRENIA and evolving the sound he already carried as a legacy from his previous band.
Their new work “Riddles, Ruins & Revelations” is the tenth complete album of the band and consists of eleven tracks. All of them are full of very beautiful classical – symphonic melodies, very meticulous orchestrations and in their metal part full of clever riffs and beautiful keys to accompany them. The album is the third with their new singer, Emmanuelle Zoldan, who succeeded Ailyn and seems to have bonded with SIRENIA perfectly, performing her soprano, operatical vocal duties flawlessly and in perfect harmony with the rest of the band.
The album is very easy-listening and this can be witnessed from the first song “Addiction No. 1”, which, as its name suggests, is extremely addictive and one of the catchiest songs of the album. “December Snow” and “Passing Seasons” are two more songs that continue in this addictive style, with the first one being slower and more emotional while the second one even employs electro-pop synth elements, but without alienating the listener . The band tries to make the album roll fast, so all its compositions range below five-six minutes in duration, without any song going unnoticed. The album concludes with a beautiful cover of DESIRELESS’ “Voyage Voyage”.
Overall this is a good work by SIRENIA, an album that fans of the genre will love and although it does not reinvent the wheel, it maintains a level that certifies its pleasant addition to a record collection.
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Fanouris Exintavelonis
Related Link: SIRENIA – Official Page
