MIRACLE FLAIR – “Angels Cast Shadows“
The second album of MIRACLE FLAIR is named “Angels Cast Shadows”. Almost obviously the cover shows a grave angel statue above a debris field. So is it bombastic, kitschy-depressive Symphonic Metal that awaits the listener? Fortunately it’s not. It seems like MIRACLE FLAIR are still searching for their style, the music is a good mix of different influences.
The title track starts heavy, the guitar shows what’s possible. When the velvety, smooth voice of Nicole Hartmann starts, I already smile in hope of a great discovery! Sadly, the music fizzles out. After the first few seconds, the power I expected to come isn’t there. Instead, the musical level is constant through the whole album, without any highs and lows. That makes “Angels Cast Shadows” as pleasant as it is unspectacular. The music almost always follows the same slow rhythm, the vocals stay low and kind, it flows along like a calm river. Sometimes there are short moments that wake you up (e.g. ‘I Am You Truth’, which has a catchy chorus) but…
All in all there is almost no power in this music.
I listened to the album three or four times and slowly the songs found the way into my ear (in the morning ‘Embracing The End’ was really stuck in my head!). If you are interested in
an easy-listening metal album without pseudo-opera screaming
of a lead singer, give “Angels Cast Shadows” a chance! As a special goody there is an acoustic version of ‘I Am Your truth’. Listen to it, it’s the best, it’s true! (Trump-mode off)
We can hope that MIRACLE FLAIR will define their style until their next release. “Angels Cast Shadows” isn’t a bad album, but they just scribed good ideas and didn’t think them through. Well, maybe next time.
“Angels Cast Shadows“ – Tracklist:
- Angels Cast Shadows
- Embracing The End
- Alive
- The Unfulfilled
- Blessing And A Curse
- I Am Your Truth
- Soul Witness
- Challenge My Faith
- The Whole
- Still Remaining Part
- Worth The Fight
- Great Spirit
- I Am Your Truth – Acoustic
Have you listened to this record? Are there bands that you want to like, but just couldn’t??
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