Midnattsol : The Metamorphosis Melody
by Trevor Portz
Staff Writer
Following their seemingly standard three-year gap between albums, symphonic metallers Midnattsol have readied their third release, The Metamorphosis Melody. Fans may be happy (or sad) to know that despite the name, the lyrical themes do not appear to be inspired by Kafka’s classic man-to-bug epic, “The Metamorphosis.” This isn’t to say there aren’t similarities, however, as to some (here comes the hate mail), Carmen Elise Espenæs’ vocals are as irritating as one can imagine a human-sized insect’s shrieks might be.
Before delving further into negativity, however, perhaps it would best to first talk about what works on The Metamorphosis Melody. The band members describe their sound as “Nordic folk metal,” but given the relative lack of traditional instruments and melodies, and the fact that not all members are, in fact, Norse, this is essentially a misnomer. Instead, as with previous releases, Midnattsol’s music walks a fine melodic line between symphonic metal and pagan power metal. Instrumentally speaking, this is actually a cool combo, as the songs are melodic and almost “mainstream” without losing too much of their true metal edge. In fact, “Kong Valemons Kamp” and title track “The Metamorphosis Melody” are not too far derived from mid-paced power metal. This is a good thing.
But then there are the vocals.
Carmen Elise Espenæs might be one of the most overrated vocalists in the world of popular metal. Her whiney, pseudo-operatic wails are surely intended to create an ethereal, otherworldly beauty that counters the metal instrumentation. Unfortunately, however, they instead are so distractingly overpowering that the music is all but swallowed up in their [occasionally] pitchy howls (maybe autotune isn’t the worst thing in the world).
While the vocals almost work on slower tracks such as “The Tide” and [not the Paula Abdul classic] “Spellbound,” Espenæs’ limited range (or limited creativity; it’s hard to decide) leaves every track sounding virtually identical and lacking individuality. Perhaps mixing her singing style up and not always following the same exact formula would, at the very least, make Espenæs more interesting to listen to.
Okay, so maybe the criticism could be boiled down to taste. Surely there are countless numbers of metalheads that worship at the alter of Midnattsol. That’s great, more power [metal] to them. Millions more continue to buy whatever Gavin Rossdale vomits out as “music.” This only further proves the fact that talent and popularity do not always go hand in hand. It also doesn’t mean that if people try something new rather than relying on one ear-torturing trick, even the most bitter of critics may have a change of heart. In three years, maybe we’ll find out for sure.
Genre: Symphonic metal
Band:
Carmen Elise Espenæs (v)
Birgit Öllbrunner (b)
Chris Merzinsky (d)
Daniel Fischer (k)
Alex Kautz (g)
Track Listing:
1. Alva
2. The Metamorphosis Melody
3. Spellbound
4. The Tide
5. A Poet’s Prayer
6. Forlorn
7. Kong Valemons Kamp
8. Goodbye
9. Forvandlingen
10. Motets Makt
11. My Re-creation
Label: Napalm Records
Website: http://www.midnattsol.com/
Hardrock Haven rating: 4.8/10