ARDOURS – Last Place On Earth [Japan Edition +1] (2019) *EXCLUSIVE*

Next August 9th Frontiers Music Srl will release release ARDOURS debut album, “Last Place On Earth”. Today we bring to you in exclusive the Japanese edition including a bonus track.
Formed by Tristania​ singer Themurtas (Mariangela Demurtas) and multi-instrumentalist / producer Kris Laurent, the lineup on the album is rounded out by Mariangela’s fellow Tristania member Tarald Lie on drums, who also wrote the lyrics for the songs. The end result is an exciting and creative album with a fresh sound straddling the lines between rock, metal, and some gothic atmospheres with prominent vocal melodies and hooks.

In 2006, Mariangela moved from Italy and joined the Norwegian band Tristania, but her and Kris always kept in touch. In late 2015, having always admired one another’s musical talents, they decided to join forces. Hard work and dedication have been the key for their upcoming debut album “Last Place on Earth”.

While still having a mysterious sound, dark at places, gothic, Ardours has more rock and ’80s influences compared to Tristania, including a bit of new wave sound which is something that Mariangela and Kris love.
For the overall sound of Ardours and “Last Place On Earth”, think like Depeche Mode goes Metal.

Since Mariangela wanted Ardours to be a melting pot of different personalities to add to the unique flavour of the songwriting, she decided to ask Tristania drummer / lyricist Tarald Lie to write the lyrics and record the drums for the album.
This has resulted in a unique and promising style, straddling the lines between classic melodic metal, hard rock, new wave, goth, and more. The gothic atmosphere created in the catchy melodies and lyrics caught the attention of Frontiers, who snapped up the band as soon as they heard their music.

“I sent our music to Frontiers and they have been very positive about it since the beginning, giving us feedback and collaborating with us in any kind of decision regarding this project. I loved the fact that they really liked our music, so we decided to sign with them,” concludes Mariangela.

After press play, I was expecting some kind of sympho / female / metal affair, but not – for my surprise “Last Place On Earth” is very melodic, even catchy at places.
Many of these songs have a classic rock foudation, and while there’s modern instrumentation, synths, and sequencers buiding the sound, the overall product is really accessible and now I can see why Frontiers signed Ardours.

“What Else Is There,” is a slow moving, buoyant song that ventures through different melodies and turning points to ensure a growing sense of purpose and direction. “Catabolic” kicks things off with a definitive surge amid the cracking of the drums, and the soaring of the vocals.
“Last Place On Earth,” is another drive into the abyss, bringing an interesting lot of twisting and turning. “Design” is a different kind of song that veers through the movements and shifts through them all. “Last Moment,” grows on the listener exponentially, shifting through the chords and bringing them to life.

“The Mist,” shimmers and shifts through the tonality, bringing with it something new and haunting. “Therefore I Am ” takes the cake in terms of growth and progress, showing where it stands on the basis of that.
“No One Is Listening” is a song that ventures forth and through with elaborated arrangements, while “Totally,” takes things for another ride, perhaps the more ‘melodic hard rock’ song on the album.

Now there’s other positive things for me: Themurtas / Mariangela vocal delivery avoids ‘operatic’ and sing in a classy rock style, and then there’s that mysterious goth touch cleverly used to not diminish the melodious nature of the songs.
A couple of tracks use heavily distorted guitars yet well placed into the mix to not distract from what’s happening, then there’s some tunes where the keys / synth really drive the songs, even closer to Synthwave runs.
And Mariangela provides vocal versatility to all songs, standing out at the more atmospheric passages.

The Japanese edition bonus track is a very different mix of “The Mist [Remix]”, and really worth as extra because the song feels and reaches you in other way.
I liked Ardours and their debut CD, not the typical Frontiers product yet very melodic, intriguing and always interesting
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01 – What Else Is There
02 – Catabolic
03 – Last Place on Earth
04 – Design
05 – Last Moment
06 – The Mist
07 – Therefore I Am
08 – Truths
09 – No One is Listening
10 – Totally
JAPAN BONUS TRACK:
11 – The Mist [Remix]

Mariangela Demurtas: Vocals
Kris Laurent: Guitars, bass and keyboards
Tarald Lie: Drums
Nico Etelavuori: Bass on 4

BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/MICP-11495