Thanks to the recordings of those wonderful groups like To-Mera, Venturia and Anthropia showing that Progressive metal featuring female vocals is indeed a great combination I was keen to hear this album by the band Emphasis. Emphasis are a European female fronted progressive metal group the difference being that Emphasis's lead vocalist Anna Ganina has an operatic style. Bass player Katya Gritskova and guitarist Pavel Korotaev started the group in 2010, their first release was Into Infinity a five track EP in 2012 it was following this that Anna Ganina actually joined Emphasis and the band's style took on a more symphonic direction.
Revival is the title of Emphasis's debut full length, and the band is performing atmospheric progressive metal with hefty riffage and a symphonic addition. I have no issues with this style of vocals in a metal environment it's been done many times before and in different formats of metal music resulting in some truly wonderful albums. So is Revival another such album? Well it certainly is a grower, from a group that are showing loads of promise. As opening and one of the strongest tracks "On The Wings Of Freedom" got going the main heavy riff reminded me of the Evergrey song "Broken Wings" though as Evergrey aren't symphonic or operatic for that matter the other similarities are quite limited. There's an middle eastern touch to "Running Man" which works well with those chugging riffs. Progressive metal wise the band does delve into the somewhat complex territiory, which enjoyable and impressive performances like the extended instrumental passages on "Blind Faith" and "Emptiness". If you like progressive metal and don't mind operatic vocals then Revival may just be the album you are looking for.
Track Listing
1. On The Wings Of Freedom
2. Running Man
3. Blind Faith
4. Death Itself
5. Every Time
6. Hate Is All You Left For Me
7. Emptiness
8. Shadow Falls
9. Emptiness (Radio Edit)
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