Artist : Sirenia

Album : Arcane Astral Aeons

Release Date : 26-10-2018

Added : 23-12-2018

After 'Dim Days Of Dolor' in 2016 which had marked an evolution in the career of 'Sirenia' (see here) by its more melodic character than its predecessors, here is' Arcane Astral Aeons released in October 2018 which fits more and more in a flamboyant symphonic metal where 'Emmanuelle Zoldan' consolidates her place thanks to vocal qualities which allow it to adapt to all the styles but where also one finds the growls of 'Morten Veland' which had practically disappeared on the previous opus. It starts strong with 'In Styx Embrace' in a debauchery of symphonic power where the choruses intertwine with the Morten’s growls in a very balanced way and where Emmanuelle offers a first perfect interpretation. The 2 tracks that follow are for me the 2 hits of the album with memorable refrains that will certainly be concert titles and which show the soft symphonic side of the band with 'Into The Night' and the more gothic face with 'Love Like Cyanide. The following shows a great variety because a lot of different formations come to mind: the first part of 'Desire' makes me think of 'Xandria' (see their latest album here ), 'Asphyxia' to 'Delain' (see their latest album here), 'Queen of Lies' to the rhythmic of 'Leaves' Eyes (see their latest album here) and with an introduction worthy of 'Tarja' (see his latest live album here) and 'Aerodyne' to 'Within Temptation'. We can also note that they also bring a certain out of phase with for example in the second part of 'Desire' or in 'Nos Heures Sombres' where we feel that Emmanuelle brings his influences of the French song : 'Nos heures Sombres' could very well have been a French variety song that they would have metallized as 'Therion' did in 'Les Fleurs du Mal’ (see here). In summary, 'Sirenia' released a new album full of good surprises that show their ability to offer us a nice palette of symphonic metal and 'Arcane Astral Aeons' is for me, certainly the most successful album of the band...

Line Up / Musicians

Emmanuelle Zoldan (Vocal), Morten Veland (Bass, Vocal), Jan Erik Soltvedt (Guitar), Nils Courbaron (Guitar, Vocal) + Guests : Yannis Papadopoulos, (Vocal), Østen V. Bergøy (Vocal), Emilie Bernou (Choirs), Damien Surian (Choirs), Mathieu Landry (Choirs), Stéphanie Valentin (Violin)