METALITE – A Virtual World [Japan Edition +1] (2021)

Sweden’s female fronted rockers METALITE releases their 3rd full length album on AFM records titled ”A Virtual World”, before in Japan with a bonus track. This is the second release featuring the vocal talents of Erica Ohlsson, whose voice stands strong throughout (and her gorgeous look).
”A Virtual World” features a lush, wall of sound produced by Jacob Hansen which has elements of Pop, Techno, Melodic Metal and more all wrapped up in one neat package. The vocals are thickly layered with deep reverbs that make it feel like a classic Rock&Pop album, if you didn’t have the rapid-fire double bass drumming and shredding guitar work to fill in the blanks.
One test of a good mix is can you still hear the vocals clearly at any volume, and ”A Virtual World” more than passes that test.

The album features a lot of happy melodies in major keys, having the effect of being uplifting overall. The opening title track comes on strong with big melodies over a back and forth of galloping metal to driving double bass, add to that some excellent lead work and you have a great first track.
“Talisman” offers some great synths layered over a straight driving beat, with big melodies and an anthemic chorus to hook you in.

For even more Pop in your Metal there is “The Vampire Song” which sounds strangely joyful on the choruses, making it an obvious ear-worm.
Energetic, dramatic, standout tracks like ‘’Beyond The Horizon’’ and ‘’Alone’’ put a fresh spin on well explored sounds, adding a more contemporary edge to a well established stylistic template. These tracks seem to go from a standing start to a breathless, headlong rush in a second.

Elsewhere, the album is built around those same principles; majestic melodies and cascading choruses, all dance to the pulsating beats and shine in the flashing lights of your uptown, urban nightspot.
Except… the fabulously melodic last track ‘Synchronised’. This one cuts against the grain of the preceding material. It slows the pace (relatively speaking). Lyrically, it has a little more depth, as it accepts some hard truths about mankind and the progress of technology. Doesn’t stop it from having a massive chorus of course, and even given it’s the closer it’ll linger in your mind long after the other songs have faded.

With such great production values, strong melodies and overall performances, ”A Virtual World” is a very solid and entertaining third album from Metalite, whom from their name makes clear their focus: metal, but lite.
Highly Recommended

01. A Virtual World
02. Cloud Connected
03. Talisman
04. Beyond The Horizon
05. Peacekeepers
06. The Vampire Song
07. We?re Like The Fire
08. Artificial Intelligence
09. Alone
10. Running
11. Synchronized
12. Aftermath (Japan Bonus Track)

Erica Ohlsson – Vocals
Edwin Premberg – Guitars
Robert Majd – Bass (Captain Black Beard)
Lea Larsson – Drums
Robert Ornesved – Guitars

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www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/MICP-11616