Amaranthe - Helix
Amaranthe is a danish-Swedish band of power melodic death metal. It is composed by: Elize Ryd, vocals, Henrik Englund Wilhelmsson, scream, Nils Molin, vocals, Olof Mörck, guitar, keyboards, Johan Andreassen, bass, Morten Løve Sørensen, drums. Jake E. (vocals) who formed the group in 2007, left in 2017 to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Nils Molin. In 2016, Amaranthe released the excellent Maximalism (http://www.rocknreviews.fr/Album/Amaranthe/Maximalism-.html) which worked very well and contained some gems. On October 19th, Helix will be released on Spinefarm Records. It will be the first album with new singer Nils Molin (Dynazty). There are 12 titles.
Elize Ryd, the singer says, "Helix describes the concept of how the past shapes us and how life makes us who we are. No excuse, no regret. We express challenges and exhilarating moments, and all that comes with the sound we love. We want to dedicate this album to all the fighters and friends out there. "
Many keyboards and electronics for the intro of The Score, followed by big guitars and the three voices of Nils, Elize and Henrik. The mixing of voices is always as well done and realized. Rhythmic is powerful, very heavy but the master-word in Amaranthe is melodic. 365 is the title presented in preview by the group. Powerful too and always this sublime voice of Elize supported by the two others singers of the group. Guitars but also electronic effects dot the short title 365. Inferno, the third title, does not derogate from the line of conduct of Danish-Swedish. An intense energy, perfectly mastered by the six members. Countdown, comes to prove the know-how in composition, placement and sharing of the voices of the singing trio.
Click here to watch the video of 365
Always so intense and melodic, Helix (the song) is beautifully interpreted and Henrik Englund Wilhemsson even allows himself a moment of rap. Again here many synths that float in the middle of the heavy and violent guitars of Olof Mörck. Only a few soli, Amaranthe posing as a united and welded group.
Dream, the following title presents an Elize clearly influenced by Rihanna, vocally speaking. Always melodic, powerful and intense. Big guitars with aggressiveness contained but present. GG6 follows the same trajectory as the previous titles. Rammstein influence assured. Just like on Breakthrough Starshot with ultra-powerful and efficient rhythm. The chorus is however very catchy.
We don't change a type of composition that wins, with My Haven, a piece just as robust as the others. Well built and ultra-powerful too. I can only note that the mixture of the three voices is clever and well done. The new singer Nils Molin integrating perfectly into the band. Iconic is fast, a certain scholarly mix between Rammstein and the Accept from the very beginning. But always melodic and that's the strength of Amaranthe.
We waited for some calm, and here comes the ballad, Unified. The singing of Nils Molin is really splendid, accompanied by keyboards and a catchy pre-chorus and chorus. Then the singing of Elize comes to prove us that the song is a success and Amaranthe knows how to slow down the rhythm. Momentum beautifully ends Helix, just as melodic as its predecessor but also more powerful. The change of singer did not alter the know-how and the soul of the band. And that's a good point.
You'll have to wait until October 19th to get Helix. Be patient. Amaranthe will be on tour for the release of the album.
01. The Score
03. Inferno
04. Countdown
05. Helix
06. Dream
07. GG6
08. Breakthrough Stardust
09. My Haven
10. Iconic
11. Unified
12. Momentum
How much make five + one ?