Spanish group Rose Avalon are a new shining light amongst what seems like an ever rising sea of female fronted Symphonic metal groups. Barcelona is their home and Rose Avalon are named after their vocalist who sounds so appealing on Northern Strengths, Rose Avalon's striking debut album. I'm one of those that favours the Tarja operatic era of Nightwish so Rose Avalon's vocals are right up my alley, and speaking of which Rose Avalon do take some inspiration from Nightwish.
Commencing with an upbeat tune "Capo Mea Fides" and soaring with Rose Avalon's wonderful melodic vocals as the band is off to a fine start. "Earth" is the kind of enchanting slower track that sweeps you away and make you feel so good, as the piano and vocals combine and the music builds in power it just gets better. The production is outstanding as Rose Avalon's songs sound crystal clear, twelve tracks feature on Northern Strengths and none of these are overly long and with ample variety. It's nice to hear a band that aren't doing the whole beauty and the beast vocal thing for a change, instead just relying on the talents of their leading lady. But it's not all about the vocals, Rose Avalon have it all covered ensuring that their songs flow so well be it the guitars, bass, drums, keyboards or the traditional instruments on tracks like "My Northern Star" and "The Moon Over Avalon".
Northern Strenghts is the finest symphonic metal debut I've heard in some time, and I am so pleased that the band presented me with the opportunity to experience their first album and I will continue to do so.
Track Listing
1. Capo Mea Fides
2. Earth
3. Life
4. Seven Hundred Mile
5. Courage And Pain
6. My Sad Martyrdom
7. Empty Hearth
8. Crystal Tears
9. From My Darkness
10. Sharing The Path Through Time
11. My Northern Star
12. The Moon Over Avalon
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