IMPERIA – Tears Of Silence [LTD Edition Digipak] (2015)

“Tears Of Silence” is the new album by multinational combo IMPERIA. This is just another band in the over-crowded female-fronted melodic / symphonic metal scene, but if you like this genre, then this album is a joy to behold.

“Tears Of Silence” is the fourth album from Imperia, but my first experience with the band, and I have to say the group sounds pretty impressive. It’s all well-crafted and well-performed material.
For everybody who is a fan of melodic sympho, the record delivers. You have the powerful voice of Helena Iren Michaelsen, meaty riffs, epic choruses and all wrapped into a quite melodic, clean production.

There’s many highlights to mention, but the album does flirt with Scandinavian culture with the appropriately titled and very catchy ‘The Viking Song’, one of the stronger cuts.
Other numbers that did catch my attention were the melodious ‘My Screaming Heart’ and the bombastic ‘Spirit Chase (Keep Fighting)’ with its great choral back drop and succulent chorus.

This digipak version includes two bonus tracks (good as well) running in at over the hour, but it flows easy as Imperia’s music is full of vivacity, dynamic.
Imperia can also add some folk touches like at the beginning of ‘Friheten Vil Seire’ or at the end of ‘Crossroads’. As for the vocals, Helena Iren Michaelsen is probably the band’s best, main element. She has an exceptional range to her style, from classic rock / metal singing to the pitched operatic style. Of course, there’s an abundance of power riffage, soaring guitar solos and, supporting all things, a rugged brisk rhythm section.
Strong record. Recommended.

01 – Silence Is My Friend
02 – Crossroads
03 – Broken (When The Silence Cries)
04 – Away
05 – Friheten Vil Seire
06 – My Screaming Heart
07 – Motherlove
08 – The Vikingsong
09 – Spirit Chase (Keep Fighting)
10 – Innocent Child
11 – Wings Of Hope
12 – We ll Be Free [Digipak Bonus]
13 – Broken Hearts [Digipak Bonus]

Helena Iren Michaelsen – Vocals
Jan “Örkki” Yrlund – Guitars
Gerry Verstreken – Bass
Stefan “Steve” Wolz – Drums

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www.emp-online.com/art_321963/
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