The name Sarah Jezebel Deva should be no stranger to fans who have followed the careers of Cradle of Filth, Therion, and Mortiis, as the powerful singer has lent her angelic female vocals to these dramatic orchestral emtreme metal acts over the last decade. In 2001, Sarah met up with the brothers Chris and Tommy Rehn, each notable composers/musicians/producers, and tossed the idea of forming a band. Soon after, Angtoria was born. After releasing a successful demo a few years, back, the band has just completed their full-length debut God Has A Plan For Us All, a sweeping orchestral metal album loaded with crunchy guitar riffs, layers of symphonic keyboards, and Sarah's soaring vocal attack. Released on Listenable Records, God Has A Plan For Us All features Sarah on vocals, the Rehn brothers on most of the instruments (guitars/keyboards), and a myriad of guest musicians, including Andreas Brojber on drums, Aaron Stainthorpe on vocals (My Dying Bride), Dave Phybus on bass (Cradle of Filth), Martin Haggstrom on vocals (Moahni Moahna/Zool), and Rikard Andersson on a keyboard solo (Time Requiem).
If you like heavy power metal that relies more on on crunch & symphonic arrangements, and less on speed, than this album will be very appealing. There's no shortage of memorable melodies here, like on the catchy "Suicide on My Mind", a great vehicle for Sarah's lovely vocals, or the powerful battle of make and female vocals on the blistering "Deity of Disgust". The Rehn brother have a way with creating sweeping orchestral soundscapes, giving much of this CD a movie score soundtrack feel, which really takes you off your feet from the opening moments of the instrumental "The Awakening" right into the anthem "I'm Calling". Fans of Nightwish will love the majestic and angelic "The Addiction", as well as the prog-metal swagger of the alluring "Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough".
Honestly, this is a very enjoyable album, and it's great to hear Sarah Jezebel Diva in the spotlight for the first time. She makes the most of this opportunity, and with the classy talents of Chris and Tommy Rehn, this collective known as Angtoria have put together a real winner of symphonic metal here on God Has A Plan For Us All. Check it out.
Track Listing
- The Awakening
- I'm Calling
- God Has A Plan For Us All >mp3
- Suicide On My Mind
- Deity Of Disgust
- The Addiction
- Six Feet Under's Not Deep Enough
- Do You See Me Now >mp3
- Original Sin
- Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned >mp3
- Confide In Me
- That`s What The Wise Lady Said
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