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The album’s lyrics accent the dark and brooding sound and take the listener through each movement, telling a tale. Even if I couldn’t always figure it out since half of the album is sung in French. It is interesting how the language difference changes the style between the songs.
In general, the vocals are mid-range and melodic, however, the dark and brooding and often frightening atmospheres are accented by death metal screams, rich harmonies, and melodies that sound like ritual cadences such as the chorus in the song “Jack.” I noticed that the songs sung in French were vocally more intricate whereas the songs sung in English were more instrumentally intricate. Every song is both musically and vocally intricate with or without vocals; the difference is there but subtle.
The album has two instrumental pieces “Night Call” and “Interlude.” “Night Call” introduces us to the album with a chime and keyboard cadence that sounds like the theme to a horror movie. “Interlude” is an enchanting acoustic guitar passage that flows between the violent and brutal “Jack” and the enchanting and dynamic epic “Ephemene” at the end of the album.
What I like best about this album is that it has a very well refined sound and a good mix however the band maintains a sense of independence. I commend Dornfall for doing the album in two languages because it shows that they remain true to their roots.
An interestingly dark twist on progressive and power metal.
Rating: 80
Reviewed By: Brian Grefrath