Imperia – Dark Paradise
Reviewed by: Blake Mossey
Review Score: 8
Imperia are set to release their 7th studio album Dark Paradise on Massacre Records. It’s been 20 years since they released their debut album The Ancient Dance Of Qetesh. Dark Paradise continues where their last album The Last Horizon left off. Continuing with their symphonic atmospheric metal.
Album leads off with ‘Better Place’ a great opener to showcase their more metal elements with lots of heavy riffing and explosive solos and Helena’s symphonic operatic vocals. The next 3 tracks slow the pace down for their more traditional symphonic sound and tempo changes and showing their different styles and influences.
Things crank up again with the heavy ‘Reflection’ and more ripping solos and then what is probably the heaviest track on the album ‘Soldiers of Hell’ which features some death metal like growls to amp the track up even more which is likely what gives me the feelings of this being the heaviest track on the album.
Tracks ‘Lost Souls’ and ‘Hope of Joy’ again show off Helena’s powerful and wide range in her vocal performance. Album ends off with the superbly titled ‘The Demon’s Fireplace’ for a dark and excellent closer.
Helena Iren Michaelsen’s vocals are a standout feature of Imperia. Her impressive range and ability to effortlessly switch between delicate and powerful vocals add a distinctive touch to the band’s sound.
Imperia incorporates a wide range of musical influences into their music, including symphonic, gothic, and progressive metal. This fusion of genres creates a unique and dynamic sound that sets them apart from bands that stick to a more traditional symphonic metal style.
IMPERIA is:
Helena Iren Michaelsen – Vocals
Jan “Örkki” Yrlund – Guitars
Gerry Verstreken – Bass
Merijn Mol – Drums