EMBRACE THE STORM

All of you know that this is the latest Arjen Lucassen`s project, after a masterpiece called The Human Equation, when he introduced Marcela Bovio in a recognizable album, i think he was pleased with her contribution, at the point that they gathered again to make a new project which features besides they both, Alejandro Millan in keys (friend and mate of Marcela in Elfonia), Lori Lindstruh taking the lead guitar, Davy Mickers on drums and Johan van Straum in bass.

I have seen lately some opinions about this album, or better said about the project, so many critics because this is not a metal project, this is only a comercial band, using as pretext the success of Marcela and Arjen in Ayreon`s last album,and some might say that is awful or great i dont know, as always everyone has it`s own opinion, every mind is a world.

When i knew about this project i was quite interested because i like Ayreon and some other Arjen`s projects, but actually i was more convinced because of Marcela Bovio, besides being mexican and beautiful, her voice has controlled my ears since the first time i listen to her, it could be similar to other goth metal female singers, but i loved her since the first note (honestly i knew first The Human Equation than Elfonia), and that was my main reason to get this album, now the review.

"Spellbound", great song to open an album, i have the whim of repeat it always, if you are expecting some metal and heavy tones, this is not what you ask for, but otherwise you might enjoy it, an introduction to Marcela`s world.

"Passion" im not sure but i think it was the first "single", or at least the first song with a video available in it`s official website, that`s a great song, the first where we can appreciate for the first time all the music and what can instruments do in the album, one of my favorite songs, great guitar solos and some little violin tunes.

"Deceiver" is another great song, im sure this is the favorite of several people, i love that line "i am not who you think i am", and again not, this is not metal, it has it`s guitar solos and crescendos, but nothing more, musically is not the best, but in fact, this album doesn`t have much musical requirement, therefore i dont like bass player work, so easy and for me the worst aspect of the band.

"I`ll keep on dreaming" it`s a nice song, nothing new, a balad which enchant us again with that beautiful voice.

"Haunted" has a darker sound, in fact i think it`s beggining is great, hearing a dark and continuous violin sound, while Marcela is "speaking" like a narration, but another point is that she uses both spanish and english languages, for me that`s quite nice, also because of her pronountiation (take for example Mars Volta`s singer, he speaks hoooorribly spanish), me as a spanish speaker like to hear it so much, also the song is great, all the mood and background its great but bass, i dont really like the linse that he uses.

"Wherever you are" it`s another nice song which blend some poppish tunes with hints of a supposed metal, i mean that because it has some little changes of soft to heavier sound.

"Open your Eyes", what can i say about this song, musically is an average song, but the voice, OMG.

"Embrace the Storm" is the only song that immediately reminds me Ayreon, the exact point is when she finishes to sing Embrace the Stoooorm" that part is totally Ayreonaut and it`s great because it shows us that Arje has not forgotten his roots and ambitions, anyway this project was a new ambition for him i think.

"Breathing Again" is another weaker song i think, despite it`s beautiful Marcela`s performance, i think this sweet song is not the best by far, here we can appreciate also a little bit of Millan`s work in piano.

"Out in the Real World" is probably nowadays the best known song of them and the most enjoyable, i really love that song, it doesnt have complexity or something but its sucha great sound, and again i love the part when vocals in english and spanish gathere together.

"Nostalgia", thw whole song has lyrics on spanish, so maybe i can feel familiarized and identified with it, musically it`s the softer song of thr album, but again Marcela`s voice makes us feel like heaven, telling us why Arjen was impressed and pleased with her work, he always chooses great musicians to his projects, normally he is not wrong with his choices, this time neither but Johan van Straum, i dont have anything agains him, but honestly his bass playing here is weak weak weak.

"Calliopeia" is finishing the album and the review, its the end of a fantastic and different Arjen`s project, as i have said dont expect metal and powerful songs, but give it a chance if you want it.

After all that points its clear that i like this album so much, as clear that i dont like the bass sound, and as clear as i love Marcela Bovio voice, a different album, a different image, great but never a masterpiece, much less a progressive rock masterpiece which is why are we all here, but in my opinion it culd be a nice addition to any prog fan.

See you soon!