Artist: Vampiria
Label: Icarus Records
Release Date: 12/1/00
Rating: 3 Skulls
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Title: Among Mortals Artist: Vampiria Label: Icarus Records Release Date: 12/1/00
Rating: 3 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Requiem (4/12/01):
Anyone who is familiar with the current metal world could probably provide a fairly accurate educated guess on what a band called Vampiria may sound like. For starters one can safely assume that this band just may happen to be involved with the symphonic black metal style as well as incorporating a dark gothic vibe. This of course involves keyboards, operatic female vocals and a musical style similar to Cradle of Filth. To no avail, we have here all of these elements that would most likely be a part of a vampire associated metal outfit. Quite frankly, we are not dealing with ground-breaking originality here, however the group do maintain a fair amount of song writing ability and therefore seem to stay afloat with the rest of the competition.Initiating the disc is a lengthy prelude in which part one is comprised mostly of keyboards and female vocals where as the second half utilizes the rest of the band for more of an instrumental feel. Intros often seem unnecessary and a bit useless but bands sometimes feel obligated to lead the listener into the correct vibe which Vampiria intend to do here. From here we are led through a plethora of keyboard-drenched symphonic black metal ditties along side samples of female screams and howling wolves. Although Vampiria do not replicate any particular band, we can safely say that these South American gothic metallers do carry certain similarities to Moonspell, Dimmu Borgir or Cradle of Filth.
I'm generally not overwhelmed by this style which is why I probably cannot find anything too innovative throughout, but let's just say it's done well at a safely predictable level. Most of the music finds the keyboards keeping to a similar vibe as the guitars, usually providing an atmospheric quality, but occasionally taking on more of a lead instrument role like the keyboard style of the recently defunct Crematory. The guitars soar along with the mid-to-fast paced quality of the digitized sounding drums. The drum machine quality of the beats does the band no wonders, but almost fits in adequately with the style of the music played here. The vocal department offers little surprises with a fairly typical black metal style of vox along side the more goth influenced clean vox and as I have mentioned before, the soprano female vocals which seem to add a distinct flavor to the mix but at times seem slightly strained.
Despite my criticisms, I do think that Vampiria certainly have come up with an impressive debut to offer the metal community. Extra credit must also be given for the sole fact that it is rare for a South American metal act to tackle such a style as they do here. The album will most likely receive a fair amount of success to those dedicated fans of the symphonic black/goth metal style. A critic as harsh as myself needs a tad bit more metal brilliance to produce a better than average review. But fear not, Vampiria are a fairly young outfit and still have some time to iron out the minor weaknesses they do possess. In due time, these guys may have what it takes to make a major name of themselves.
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