Fallen Angels Black Lotus
Self-Released - September 2003
By Tim Blake
Hailing from Sweden, Fallen Angels play technically proficient melodic-metal, much in the vein of In Flames, Dark Tranquillity or Children of Bodom. "Black Lotus" is a self-released four track EP that serves as a great example of both the faults and strengths of this kind of melodic-metal. Clocking in at only 16 minutes, it is short in quantity, but has it's fair share of quality.
"Soulstone Splinter" wastes absolutely no time in clarifying the style of metal we are dealing with. After a brief, slightly cheesy keyboard intro, the song bursts into harmonized guitars and Gothenburg-style playing. If you have ever heard bands like In Flames or Children of Bodom, you have heard metal like this before. Thankfully, Fallen Angels aren't a simple carbon copy of such groups and do have their own (tentative) identity, which comes through occasionally in the use of synths and other background touches. They certainly aren't as bubblegum and devoid of depth as a group like Children of Bodom, but neither are they as melodically engaging as old In Flames, or as structurally alluring as Dark Tranquillity. The band's evident devotion to their genre warrants such comparisons.
'Crowned In Despair' continues in a similar vein, with some decent riffs and occasional keyboard flourishes. The band obviously has an ear for melody, but one can't shake a nagging feeling of deja vu, considering how wide-spread and oversaturated this style is now. 'Where the Black Lotus Grows' has a slower pace and more interesting riffs. 'Maestitia' is a short and pleasant synth piece that ends the EP on a friendly, forlorn, but slightly tinny note; it's a bit too reminiscent of midi.
It would be unfair of me to say that Fallen Angels is not a good band, because it is obvious that they are great at playing their instruments, have an ear for melody, and are proficient musicians. My main complaint is that their style is so common-place these days and there isn't that much to differentiate these guys from the next melodic-metal band. Perhaps if they injected some more innovation into their sound this release would have been more interesting. While there is little originality, if any, to be heard here, on the strengths of the band's achievements this demo comes recommended. If you like melodic-metal then there is a great chance you will like Black Lotus.
6.5-7/10
Official Fallen Angels Website
Self-Released - September 2003
By Tim Blake
Hailing from Sweden, Fallen Angels play technically proficient melodic-metal, much in the vein of In Flames, Dark Tranquillity or Children of Bodom. "Black Lotus" is a self-released four track EP that serves as a great example of both the faults and strengths of this kind of melodic-metal. Clocking in at only 16 minutes, it is short in quantity, but has it's fair share of quality.
"Soulstone Splinter" wastes absolutely no time in clarifying the style of metal we are dealing with. After a brief, slightly cheesy keyboard intro, the song bursts into harmonized guitars and Gothenburg-style playing. If you have ever heard bands like In Flames or Children of Bodom, you have heard metal like this before. Thankfully, Fallen Angels aren't a simple carbon copy of such groups and do have their own (tentative) identity, which comes through occasionally in the use of synths and other background touches. They certainly aren't as bubblegum and devoid of depth as a group like Children of Bodom, but neither are they as melodically engaging as old In Flames, or as structurally alluring as Dark Tranquillity. The band's evident devotion to their genre warrants such comparisons.
'Crowned In Despair' continues in a similar vein, with some decent riffs and occasional keyboard flourishes. The band obviously has an ear for melody, but one can't shake a nagging feeling of deja vu, considering how wide-spread and oversaturated this style is now. 'Where the Black Lotus Grows' has a slower pace and more interesting riffs. 'Maestitia' is a short and pleasant synth piece that ends the EP on a friendly, forlorn, but slightly tinny note; it's a bit too reminiscent of midi.
It would be unfair of me to say that Fallen Angels is not a good band, because it is obvious that they are great at playing their instruments, have an ear for melody, and are proficient musicians. My main complaint is that their style is so common-place these days and there isn't that much to differentiate these guys from the next melodic-metal band. Perhaps if they injected some more innovation into their sound this release would have been more interesting. While there is little originality, if any, to be heard here, on the strengths of the band's achievements this demo comes recommended. If you like melodic-metal then there is a great chance you will like Black Lotus.
6.5-7/10
Official Fallen Angels Website
