There is a new voice in the world of goth metal. The name is Ayin Aleph and the
problem is, if this is the direction that goth is going, then I guess we might
as well rename it Wall Street metal. Ms. Aleph, who hails from Moscow, is a
classically trained pianist and her talent is abundantly clear on this disc. The
music is very good with a blend of her background and some thrashing guitar work
by Mark Mynett and Anthony Scemama. It is a very interesting combination that
really is at times a treat to the ears. Ayin's talents, however, may not be
perfectly matched to this genre. She has a great voice, for opera. With a high
falsetto and vibrato, this made me think right off of what would have happen if
Tiny Tim took over for Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian.
It sometimes seemed like Ayin was singing a different song than the band
behind her. Her vocals, sometimes in German, sometimes in Swedish and then also
in English, are so all over the place that it is hard to grasp what she is
trying to do. (Growling is not her strong point). She could be a star at the
Met, that is without question. But the star fades when she tries to enter the
world of metal.
I am sure that there are some that will like this type of thing. But to me,
the extremes are too far apart. There is a wealth of talent in Ms. Aleph and her
band. Finding the right blend is something that just might take a little more
time.
If Ayin Aleph I was an instrumental album, it might well have rated it a full
four stars. As it stands, I will be looking for what they come up with on the
next offering. Classical piano is something that sounds so good next to the
crunch of an electric guitar that I really would like to hear her do more of it.
Just don't go beyond the boundaries of what you do best.
Track Listing:
1. Hamlet
2. My Bloody Marriage
3. Aleph
4. Grey Ashes
5. Butterfly
6. Bridge
7. Valpurgis Night
8. Sebastian's Prayer
9. Army Of Love
10.My Bloody Marriage II
11.The Purchase Of The Cathedral
12.Black Roses
13.(Dead Air)
14.Es Muss Sein
15.Alcove Rhapsody
16.I Came
17.Greed
18.The End
19.I Miss You
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