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"With his thunderous "The Catalyst", Amaranthe proudly wear his pop-metal like a banner, proving that he doesn't care about his detractors."
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4/5
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Three years after "Manifest", which, as with every release from the Swedes, unleashed a torrent of acerbic criticism and a slew of applause, the fine team is back again at the start of this year. Amaranthe's seventh album, "The Catalyst", doesn't give a damn about the mockery of their propensity for blending metal, Eurovision-worthy melodies and electro-dance resurgences, and the combo persists in asserting their originality.
Constantly playing on this stylistic antinomy, the compositions vary moods according to the vocal interventions of its three singers, with growls now provided by a newcomer: Mikael Sehlin. While the previous opus was heavier, this new effort gives pride of place to synths and pop metal melodies. "The Catalyst" is a succession of radio hits packed into three minutes. This is not going to reconcile fans and detractors, who are going to tear each other apart as they listen to these melodies that instantly penetrate the neurons, these danceable rhythms and these dubstep and dance effects. Tedious or intoxicating, there are no half-measures when it comes to the effect produced by the Swedes' music.
To single out just a few tracks from the dozen or so nuggets on offer here is like choosing your first chocolates when opening a box at Christmas. However, let's not forget 'Damnation Flame', which smacks of symphonic metal close to Nightwish and 'Outer Dimensions', which sees Amaranthe takes us back to Abba's 'S.O.S.' at times. Also of note is Elize's Scottish-folk-flavored vocals on the first verse of a rather original 'Breaking The Waves', with its fleeting ethereal passages, and 'Re-Vision', with its Vocoder backing vocals and dance-floor interlude that will stun even the most reluctant. Those insatiable for ballads will be delighted with the charming Elize/Nils duet on the classic but buoyant 'Stay A Little While'. As for those wishing to convince the anti-metal crowd that they can sometimes find something to their liking in this hated style, suggest they give it a try with 'Find Life', a growl-free second track whose verses mimic the pre-chorus of Rihanna's 'Don't Stop The Music'.
Amaranthe's new album is a strong effort. Not seeking to appease opponents of their incongruous musical patchwork, they now wear it proudly like a banner. Recalcitrant metalheads are going to have to get used to it, because screaming about the betrayal of metal won't stop the onslaught: this variation of the genre is well and truly destined to establish itself in today's musical landscape. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. The Catalyst 02. Insatiable 03. Damnation Flame 04. Liberated 05. Re-Vision 06. Interference 07. Stay a Little While 08. Ecstasy 09. Breaking the Waves 10. Outer Dimensions 11. Resistance 12. Find Life
LINEUP:
Elize Ryd: Chant Henrik Englund: Chant / Growl Johan Andreassen: Basse Morten Løwe Sørensen: Batterie Nils Molin: Chant Olof Mörck: Guitares / Claviers
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(5) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
2.3/5 (3 view(s))
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STAFF:
3/5 (7 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH AMARANTHE
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LAST INTERVIEW
AMARANTHE (AUGUST 10, 2020)
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While in Paris, Amaranthe was able to share with us their impressions on the current situation, Spotify, the new album and their possible evolution.
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"Osmium out now !" |
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT AMARANTHE
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