Maybe it was just luck or for those that want to be dramatic you can call it fate but when I was trying to research another group and came across this band they made me forget what I was doing the moment I hit the play button and the track "Endless Sacrifice" off their debut album Rise hit my ears. Female fronted gothic metal bands are a dime a dozen right now and too many of them sound just like another. So when I heard the unique and powerful voice of Carrie van Heden against the very heavy guitar work of Adrian Delborg I turned up the volume a few notches because this was something special. A whisper of keyboards maintains the melodramatic feel and the pounding rhythm section round out this dynamic first encounter with AnsoticcA.
So it was with great anticipation that I turned toward their first release. Hoping that what I heard was not just the cream of the crop. I wasn't disappointed. With visions of Tarja Turunen floating around thanks to the similar vocal ability of van Heden, the world of gothic metal has another contender for the crown. For a debut this band shows an abundance of talent and amazing songwriting ability. Each song is unique and without question a mesmerizing blend of metal, terrific orchestration and dynamic vocals.
They take this blend and give it to you in different quantities with each composition. Like the song "Heaven Burns" uses keyboards and orchestration in a much more prominent way with the six string heaviness used for emphasis. Then there is the case where pure orchestration is the backdrop with just a trace of metal such as the regal "In Silence". You also get a taste of classical in the Trans Siberian Orchestra vein with a headbangers attitude on the powerful "Tears Of A Clown" or the album closer "Weight Of The World".
There is even a trip down power ballad avenue with the very melodic "Willing To Believe". Starting out as a beautiful piano piece with Carrie's voice blending magnificently, it then takes a crunching six string turn for the last minute or so that reminds you they are still a melodic metal band that really knows how to bring it. Actually this is one of the songs that have stayed with me the longest as the wildly different textures makes for an extraordinary listening experience.
As hard to image this as a debut, it only makes me think of what we might have yet to come from this band. One of the things that must be hard for a group like this is the trouble caused because the album is so good. When it comes time to set down and work on the next one how are they going to top what they have given us already?
Track listing:
1. A New Day
2. Endless Sacrifice
3. Heaven Burns
4. Rise
5. I'm Alive
6. In Silence
7. Faces (On Fire)
8. Open Your Eyes
9. Our Time
10. Tears Of A Clown
11. Open The Gates
12. Willing To Believe
13. Weight Of The World
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