Review: 07.07.2008

BY BLOOD ALONE
Seas Of Blood

This is a scrumpious blend of gothic and heavy metal. Unlike most, this band does not sacrifice anything from either catagory to make its sound. It has all of the darkness, beauty and drama of the gothic category, but it also rocks socks and trades licks like the best of the metal bands. In a pit or on a stage, this band could stand up there with Judas Priest or Iron Maiden. The vocalist is female. She isn't operatic style but she has a superbly vivid and intense style that really puts over a big picture. Here strength and energy lead the way for a galloping legion of musical spectacularities. The musical style of the guitars is nicely progressive, not overly-showy, but impressive. Unlike a lot of other progressive artists, they seem to maintain purposte throughout without getting lost in the artistry of the string wizzardry. If they provide the color, then the tone is set by the keyboard/piano sounds that keep things beautifully dark and dreary, but playfully so. The melodies are very memorable. They actually had me playing "air-piano" at one point. There are places on this recording which are symphonic in nature, the sci-fi fantasy of it reminds me at times of a power metal band, but this is a rock band deep down inside. Its just the kind of rock band that is free from fear of expanding the repertoire to do something great and new.