AMBERIAN DAWN – Darkness Of Eternity [Limited Edition Digipak +1] (2017)

We were pretty pleased by Finnish sympho / prog metal combo AMBERIAN DAWN previous two albums featured here on this blog. Tomorrow, the band will release their eighth album titled “Darkness Of Eternity“, again combining some epic vocals with melodic metal, touched with some hard rock groove at times, but always steeped in symphonic yet poppy motif.

If there’s one thing to be said for Amberian Dawn, certainly they are prolific. With 8 full-length releases in the past 10 years, they’ve been able to position themselves among the symphonic / power metal scene by sheer volume alone.
“Darkness Of Eternity” sees the band continue to progress in their given direction, taking the necessary bombast and peppering it with more pop elements.

The new album seems to have a bit of a split in direction.
Some songs have a more straight-ahead symphonic / light power metal vibe to them, in the same Sonata Arctica and Nightwish direction that they’ve continued to cater towards with their previous material. Truthfully told, these songs like ‘Luna My Darling’ and ‘Dragonflies’ are the less interesting points of the album. Not bad tracks on their own (the gallop of ‘Golden Coins’ has plenty of potency to it), and they definitely quench the thirst for genre-fans, but it seems when they really embrace the poppier vibes, it gives them more room to work in.

Indeed, Amberian Dawn gets better when they deliver their more melodic, poppy side and catchiness.
The ‘80s synth-heavy bounce of ‘Sky is Falling’ may come off as a bit much to some, but that’s what modern symphonic metal is all about these days: easy verses, huge choruses and a melodic sense all over.

Embracing the larger than life bombast, it’s hard not to crack a smile with delight with the afore-mentioned ‘Sky is Falling’ or ‘Maybe’ joyfully making their way out of the speakers.
‘Breathe Again’ has an uplifting feel as well, providing a hybridization of the cinematic sound of symphonic implementation with a knack for catchiness. Even here, there’s a more unique energy that comes through that seems primed for the taking by Amberian Dawn.

This Digipak version of the album includes the exclusive bonus ‘Anyone’, a melodic rock track in disguise, which also bring to mind some Scandinavian ’80s rock&pop. Great track.

At its best, “Darkness Of Eternity is absurdly catchy in playfully energetic ways. While some songs may feel a bit more traditional in nature, it’s still enjoyable from start to finish.
Though one longs for the album when they really dive in 110% with the ‘80s melodies and synth elements to deliver something entirely over-the-top. And when thy do it, they are terrific, believe me.
Highly Recommended

01 – I’m The One
02 – Sky Is Falling
03 – Dragonflies
04 – Maybe
05 – Golden Coins
06 – Luna My Darling
07 – Abyss
08 – Ghostwoman
09 – Breathe Again
10 – Symphony Nr.1, Part 2 – Darkness Of Eternity
11 – Anyone (Digipak Bonus Track)

Tuomas Seppälä – Guitar, Keyboards
Capri – Vocals
Emil Pohjalainen – Guitar
Joonas Pykälä-aho – Drums
Jukka Hoffren – Bass

Pre Order:
www.amazon.de/Darkness-Eternity-Amberian-Dawn/dp/B075H3JWNZ
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