'Esa Holopainen' is the guitarist of the dark metal band 'Amorphis' who have just released a live that I will present to you soon. But this Finnish debut album, even if one title contains it, is far from the growls of 'Amorphis' and takes us on for 9 compositions in a format not exceeding 4 minutes between pop and rock with many guest singers among whom we find names known as 'Anneke van Giersbergen', 'Björn Strid' ('Soilwork', 'The Night Flight Orchestra') or even the singer of 'Leprous', 'Einar Solberg'.
The instrumental 'Silver Lake' opens the album with an acoustic in which Esa's guitar takes us on a relaxing journey with a slight crescendo that sees the electric instruments point the tip of their noses one after the others, then, 'Sentiment' continues in a melancholy atmosphere with the singer's captivating interpretation of 'Kakatonia', 'Jonas Renkse'. With 'Storm' (see video above) the tone hardens slightly with a melodic and catchy composition in typical sounds of Nordic folk music which is performed by 'Håkan Hemlin' who is singer of the Sudanese Folk group 'Nordman', then, 'Ray of Light' (see video here), with characteristic participation 'Einar Solberg' offers us a pop atmosphere reminiscent of the 80s and some titles of 'Bronski Beat' with 'Jimmy Somerville'. Change of scenery with 'Alkusointu' which is darker, and which highlights the serious narration of 'Vesa-Matti Loiri' with instrumental interventions quite close to the music of westerns of 'Enio Morricone', then, 'Esa Holopainen' reserved to his friend and partner in 'Amorphis', 'Tomi Joutsen', the composition 'In Her Solitude' which is closest to their group. The epic and melodic side comes out with 'Promising Sun', more moderate, in which 'Björn Strid' uses his clear voice as he does brilliantly with 'The Night Flight Orchestra' and 'Anneke van Giersbergen' comes to charm us with a 'Fading Moon' whose vocal arrangements are remarkable and which is well in the style of the Dutchwoman with a heady melody and folkloric resonances, the album ending with the semi-acoustic 'Apprentice' with again the sweet voice of 'Jonas Renkse' which makes it a gripping new singing reminiscent of the beginning of the opus.
In summary, the Finnish 'Esa Holopainen', thanks to guests who each bring their own personality, releases a very varied album that mixes different styles and atmospheres alternating poetry, melancholy and catchy melodies, the whole being very accessible, which destines 'Silver Lake By Esa Holopainen' to a large audience who navigate between pop and melodic rock... | |
