Lunatica - New Shores
Napalm Records - NPR 266 - 2 March 2009
By Ellie McGee
First things first: its not relevant to (most) of you, but this album really does contain a stupid number of anti-piracy voiceovers and interruptions. Sadly for Napalm Records, the effect isnt so much anti-piracy as anti-ever-reviewing-another-Napalm-promo-ever-again-if-I-can-fucking-help-it. That said, Ive got through it twice without killing or breaking anything, so lets review it shall we?
Second things second: New Shores doesnt really know what it is. Its apparently melodic symphonic metal which describes it about as well as strange and vaguely traumatising describes the average Psyopus album, in that its a perfectly valid description, but it somehow misses the point. Yes, there are melodic and symphonic elements. Yes, it can loosely be classed as metal. However, none of that has anything to do with why this album has started to grow on me, despite the voiceovers; its appealing because it manages to be both incredibly, horribly catchy and almost entirely forgettable. Put it on, wail along with the Eurovisionesque choruses, then put some Sepultura on, safe in the knowledge you wont have Into The Dissonance stuck in your head for days. Best of both worlds!
I honestly didnt remember a single track or chorus on this album when I dug it out again to finally get this review done, but none of that matters when youre actually listening to it. Go sing the choruses lustily at the sky (Im sorely tempted to, but its cold); but like the very best nights out, dont expect to remember them the next morning.
7.5
Official Lunatica Website
Official Lunatica MySpace
Official Napalm Records
Napalm Records - NPR 266 - 2 March 2009
By Ellie McGee
First things first: its not relevant to (most) of you, but this album really does contain a stupid number of anti-piracy voiceovers and interruptions. Sadly for Napalm Records, the effect isnt so much anti-piracy as anti-ever-reviewing-another-Napalm-promo-ever-again-if-I-can-fucking-help-it. That said, Ive got through it twice without killing or breaking anything, so lets review it shall we?
Second things second: New Shores doesnt really know what it is. Its apparently melodic symphonic metal which describes it about as well as strange and vaguely traumatising describes the average Psyopus album, in that its a perfectly valid description, but it somehow misses the point. Yes, there are melodic and symphonic elements. Yes, it can loosely be classed as metal. However, none of that has anything to do with why this album has started to grow on me, despite the voiceovers; its appealing because it manages to be both incredibly, horribly catchy and almost entirely forgettable. Put it on, wail along with the Eurovisionesque choruses, then put some Sepultura on, safe in the knowledge you wont have Into The Dissonance stuck in your head for days. Best of both worlds!
I honestly didnt remember a single track or chorus on this album when I dug it out again to finally get this review done, but none of that matters when youre actually listening to it. Go sing the choruses lustily at the sky (Im sorely tempted to, but its cold); but like the very best nights out, dont expect to remember them the next morning.
7.5
Official Lunatica Website
Official Lunatica MySpace
Official Napalm Records
