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I always like to review bands that aren't really that known to the masses but make interesting music anyway. One of those is Embraze featuring Lauri Tuohimaa (v/g) who also plays in the gothic project "For My Pain". Coming from Finland and presenting gothic metal which reminds me a bit of Sentenced or Children of Bodom, their second album "Endless Journey" (this is the European version - the Finnish version is called "Intense" and was released already in 1999) impressed me not only because of the nice digipak with its beautiful cover artwork but also their sound has some new interesting elements. Finland has to offer several
successful gothic metal bands like Entwine, To/Die/For, Sentenced or even HIM, but even though Embraze didn't redefine this genre, you can find parallels to those bands. Regarding the vocals, Lauri uses clean (not as clean as those we're used to get
from gothic metal bands) as well as nice growling parts which fit perfectly into the dark atmosphere that's created through powerful guitar riffs. Also worth to be mentioned is the accordion used in the middle-part of the title track "Endless Journey" which is rather
unusual. The album has got some strong and some less strong songs, a good mix. However, far away from being perfect. For example, one negative point are the drums. The base-drums would have needed a bit more power whereas the kick-drums are too powerful - just a matter of production. Another point of criticism, perhaps that's just my opinion, on some tracks the lyrics are way too short compared to the length of the songs so that some choruses are repeated too often and due to this the song is getting a bit boring after a while.
Nevertheless a well-done album and recommendable at least to every genre fan. Stand out tracks are "Whispers", "Endless Journey", "Lost" and perhaps "Robot Stud". This album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Neo Studio Oulu and produced by I. lmarinen and Topi Hanhela.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Whispers |
| 2. Lost |
| 3. Endless Journey |
| 4. Robot Stud |
| 5. Passion |
| 6. Tenderness |
| 7. One Moon, One Star |
| 8. This Cold Day |
| 9. Lethal Dance |
| 10. Looking Ahead To The Embrace Of Hell |
: 44.41
| Buy other Embraze albums |
