We continue in the melodic with this time symphonic metal and it is the Spaniards of 'Against Myself' who, after 'Unity' from 2019 released their fourth studio recording 'Tides Of Insanity'. Always led by the drummer and guitarist 'Charly Carreton', the line up has evolved because it is now 'Elizabeth Amoedo' who officiates on vocals replacing Irene Villegas', 'Unai Iglesias' on guitar replacing 'Sergio Culebras ', 'Francesco Antonelli' on keyboards replacing 'Carlos Alcalde' and 'Alexandre Fung' on bass replacing 'Raúl Plaza'. They offer us on this new disc nine titles for 53 minutes with a long development of nearly 20 minutes which I will present to you below, the whole bathed in classic symphonic metal with a lot of orchestration provided and grandiose choirs.
And as often in this style, the short instrumental introduction sets the scene with a lush orchestration reminiscent of 'Xandria', 'Epica', 'Whyzdom' or 'Kamelot', then, without transition, 'Providence' (see the video above) pours the first single released at the end of February containing all the ingredients of an imposing symphonic metal with an impressive firepower, the abundant choirs twirling around a high-flying vocal performance by 'Elizabeth Amoedo', the orchestral sections being well supplied and the guitar solo in the second part of the title being quite remarkable. Follows 'Beyond the Deep' (see the video here), more difficult to tame, due to successive rhythmic changes but which continues in this grandiose way with a catchy chorus. After the short symphonic interlude 'A Fateful Illusion' tumbles the catchy 'The Tempest' which again highlights the singing of Elizabeth Amoedo' always accompanied by majestic choirs and which presents a very beautiful instrumental break in the middle of the title followed by a masterful flight from Elizabeth and new choirs attesting to this symphonic filiation between this type of metal and classical music, an association that we find on the following title 'Huntress of Assyria', entirely instrumental which transmits an extraordinary energy. The sequel is no exception to this style with 'Sweet Chants of Death' (see the video here), mixing devastating guitar riffs with melodious vocals of the beautiful Elizabeth and the Spaniards have not forgotten the moment of serenity with the power ballad 'Threnody' which brings a well-deserved moment of respite after all this energy deployed and which offers a welcome break before attacking the dish resistance of the album. Indeed, because the eponymous piece of the album, in five parts, takes us on a magnificent symphonic/progressive journey with multiple twists, the many changes of intensities and tempos bringing a remarkable diversity and an immense richness which, on the other hand of the medal, will require several listenings to extract all the substance of it and explore all the nooks and crannies, ultimately allowing it to be engraved in your memory as an essential composition of symphonic metal.
In summary, four years after their last offering, the Spaniards of 'Against Mself' are back in force on the front of the symphonic metal scene by offering us an album demonstrating that they have once again taken a step to mingle at the forefront of formations of this style and 'Tides Of Insanity' will certainly be on the podium of the albums of the year 2023 in symphonic metal... | |
