You can imagine my reaction, if a Melodic Death Metal album starts with an Intro, right? Well, I stifle a yawn – but after this first, restrained minute, FRANTIC AMBER unleash a fireworks of cutting chords, melodic finesse and catchy refrains to satisfy me at full amount.
Burning Insight holds many direct hits, emerging from the felicitous suspense field of oppressing heaviness and a nice portion of melody. I really take my hat off to the vocal efforts of singer Elizabeth, because the unbelievable intense manner of her presentation commands my respect. She hisses, breathes stertorously, whispers and sings in clear pitch and I appreciate her intonation and phrasing. Concerning last mentioned aspect, the lady does an excellent job during the song pearl called Soar, just listen how she spits out the word “home” differently each time…interim, FRANTIC AMBER integrate an extensive part of harmony including piano sounds, just to form a counterpart to neck breaking riffs and mighty grooving rhythms.
A while later, clattering passages and steaming guitar orgies dominate the piece Drained and the quite complex build-up invites us both to listen closely and to raise our fists to the sky.
Very calm tones introduce the track Entwined and boost the intensity level, ere a touch of symphonic bombast contrasts the guitars at best. Afterwards, Wrath Of Judgement offers chords, which sound like a swarm of mad hornets, but we can find some more emotions than aggression, because rhythmic variations care for alternation.
Sometimes, the lyrical kitsch devil peeps around the corner (“break the chains, set them free” or “spread your wings and fly away”), but the joy in listening does not really suffer, caused by husky cracks like Unbreakable, which enthuse totally. Some threatening accords as introduction give way to a heavy grooving basis measure and a nice refrain shows up anew. Many fine-tuned guitar motives attach melodic zest and contribute their part to a variable overall effect.
Thereon, the vocalist convinces again with fast sung parts, which sum up to a suspenseful work entitled Self Destruction, together with edged rhythms and harmonious melodies
I also appreciate the style, how FRANTIC AMBER conclude their songs, because boring fade-outs cannot be found; crispy and snappy punch lines round off the compositions.
Regardless, if in mighty grooving, reluctant or aggressively imminent manner – the quintet delivers a really successful work with many facets, holding dynamic subtleties and filigree technique alongside all kinds of speed!