(Originally published @ FMW http://smarturl.it/DarkMoor)

Review by Tony Cannella

Remember when the Spanish symphonic metal band Dark Moor had a female singer? It seems like ages ago since the band released their last album “The Gates of Oblivion” with Elisa C. Martin on vocals. Actually it was 2002 and it was such a great album, as were the two that preceded it. Unfortunately Elisa departed soon after the release of “The Gates of Oblivion” and was replaced by the male vocalist Alfred Romero and he has remained a fixture in the band ever since. That is not to criticize the band. Alfred Romero has added his own unique style to the Dark Moor sound and he has been with them long enough to carve his own niche as their lead singer. Plus, he does a damn good job. Now the band returns with their 9th album “Ars Musica”. On this album Dark Moor utilizes female singers on background vocals and it gives the material some richness and enhances the music and songs.

The intro “Ars Musica” sets an eerie, cinematic vibe and segues into the bouncy, power metal drive of “First Lance of Spain”. This song has an extremely memorable chorus and a strong melody. The guitar harmonies begin the ultra-melodic mid-tempo number “This Is My Way”. This song has a high accessibility factor and could appeal to a wide audience. The tempo picks up with the next track “The Road Again”. This is one of the best songs here and the presence of female opera singers on background vocals only enhances the song. “Together As Ever” is another melodic masterpiece and just a great all around song. Other highlights include: “The City of Peace”, “Living In A Nightmare” and the Spanish language “El Ultimo Rey”. Dark Moor is truly one of the most symphonic bands out there and they really are enamored with the whole symphony thing and they do get a lot out of it. The whole thing is completed with the final two bonus tracks, and acoustic version of “The Road Again” and the orchestral version of “Living in a Nightmare”.

In my opinion, “Ars Musica” is the best album that Dark Moor has done in many years, certainly the best that they’ve done with Alfred Romero on vocals but I am sure that can be debated amongst their fans. Wherever your loyalties lie, Dark Moor has always and will continue to supply symphonic metal majesty with their music.

Rating – 85/100

From Sweden, My Endless Wishes was formed in 2005. In 2009 they released the 9-song demo “Never Walk Alone” and four years later have just issued their self-titled debut. “My Endless Wishes” features 12-songs and 44-minutes worth of energetic hard rock and heavy metal with infectious hooks and melodies and lyrics that accentuates the positive over the negative.

The undeniably catchy “Follow the Light” gets things headed in the right direction and are followed by the heavier, more deliberate and bombastic “Cry For Deliverance”. The majestic “A Part of Me” is up next and is a melodic radio friendly treat with a solid rumbling guitar riff. Lead vocals are provided by Frida Viberg and her style is along the lines of Amy Lee from Evanescence – a band which My Endless Wishes site as an influence. The band keeps things coming at a rapid pace on songs like “Lost Without You”, “Angel” and “Waiting for a Sign”. My Endless Wishes have released a good debut piece of work which should appeal to fans of Evanescence, Within Temptation and Nightwish. Musically, they are certainly along the lines of those bands, yet somehow I can also see this band finding an audience with fans of melodic hard rock as well.

Rating – 80/100 Review by Tony Cannella

(Originally Published onto Femme Metal Webzine at http://smarturl.it/MyEndlessWishes)

What a treat this turned out to be. The collaboration between two of the most iconic female singers in metal was eagerly anticipated (by me anyway). On their new EP “Paradise (What About Us?)” the Dutch band Within Temptation joins forces with Tarja Turunen on the excellent title song and it is a match made in Femme Metal heaven.

In addition to the title song, “Paradise” also comes with three demo versions of new songs, which will presumably be on the next Within Temptation album. But the song and video that has everyone talking is “Paradise (What About Us?)”. This song is a melding of two phenomenal singers who bring different styles to the table but also go about their business cohesively – neither one tries to show up the other and neither tries to hog the spotlight. This collaboration is utterly brilliant and worked for me. And oh yeah, there are three other songs (in demo form) that are pretty good as well. They have that up-tempo feel that that WT have taken on with their past few albums and the energy and vitality is palpable – especially on the raging track “Silver Moonlight” which features extreme male vocals. These songs should really bode well for the next WT album, which the band is currently working on.

There are always high expectations when such a union is formed and also some skepticism – you know those people that are waiting and hoping to tear it to shreds. Well, I can only speak for myself when I say that I was not disappointed – it even exceeded my expectations.

Rating – 90/100

Review by Tony Cannella

(originally published onto Femme Metal Webzine http://smarturl.it/WTParadise)