STREAM OF PASSION

The name of the game for this particular band resides somewhere within the symphonic metal, Gothic metal and progressive metal triangle, the band utilizing aspects from all three of those styles in their compositions. On this latest production the emphasis is on fairly short creations, the greater majority of the tracks clock in at 5 minutes or less, and the longest one is a mere 6 minutes long. This description as seen from a progressive metal point of view of course, where it's not all that uncommon to encounter compositions stretching into the 10 and 15 minute range.

Throughout this very well produced album you soon get a feel for a certain formula being applied. We get a delicate or a bombastic opening sequence, the verse parts have a tendency to dampen the instrumentation, the chorus section is majestic and dramatic, while the transitions tends to give more room to the guitarists. In more detail the verse sections tends to feature effective use of piano details supplementing delicate symphonic arrangements and toned down guitar details, with massive riffs and grandiose symphonic cascades hitting it for the chorus. Fairly often with transitional sequences as a build up to the chorus section.

In terms of sound and style there's a good and effective contrast between dark, ominous guitar sounds and light toned digital strings that is a key feature throughout, and when the guitarists are given the limelight they tend to use it to add a further emphasis to the darker and at times menacing sounds this instrument can produce. As far as symphonic metal goes, Stream of Passion have opted for an expression with bite, edge and punch on this occasion. There are riffs and guitar motifs here many metal bands would give an arm and leg to have uncovered themselves. The lead vocals is a key element of course, and vocalist Marcela Bovio is a top performer. She has a strong and controlled voice with operatic qualities, and use her vocals well to add drama and emotion to the proceedings.

Personally I'd select Earthquake and Out of the Darkness as the album highlights, to my ears both of these compositions feature subtle details that adds an additional sparkle to the proceedings. But this is a high quality production through and through, and I'd hazard a guess that this is one of those CD's where each of the individual tracks will have been singled out as personal favorites by someone as all of them feature some aspect that makes them different from the others, even if it is more of a minute detail.

If you tend to enjoy bands described as symphonic or Gothic metal, Stream of Passion's "A War of Our Own" can be considered a safe purchase, those who like this kind of music will get everything they want here on an album that is of high quality through and through. Those fond of bands of this type exploring material of a darker and at times menacing nature will probably be those who enjoy this production more than others, especially if they don't mind some progressive metal oriented details thrown into the mix.

One of the more singular aspects of this band's sound for this effort is the occasional utilization of Gert Wantenaar's bandoleon and accordion melodies. It provides a warm texture that, combined with some forays into Latin rhythms and sprinkled Spanish lyrics, brings an exotic charm to the overall album, and hopefully on their next excursion these qualities will be brought to the forefront.

Although not explicitly showcasing themselves, the band members seem well above the norm regarding technical skill as far as their chosen genre is concerned, with occasional shredding solos and snazzy drumwork that are rarely featured if at all concerning gothic metal acts, in which the focus tends to hardly stray from the vocalist while the band chugs away in the background dressed in black and looking generally sour. Marcela also plays the violin as well, which adds more flair to certain tracks.

Vocally, we're dealing with a very pretty voice. So much so, that if the brutally overplayed Titanic theme "My Heart Will Go On" did not luckily manage to sink the entire mushy pop-ballad based music to a level that it hasn't yet recovered from, I can picture Marcela being a prime candidate to duet with an aging Peter Cetera about how awesome love is. She's not a fiery vocalist, which makes for a bit of a contrast when the music's at its heaviest (we're not dealing with anything 'extreme' of course), but she's got a sweet range and an appealing enough tone in general.

Album-wise, the album suffers a bit from sheer length that wouldn't be an issue with a little more variety. There are a couple of welcome ballads which opt for that Latin vibe, but as for the rest of the tracks, many of them are individually excellent, especially the first two numbers, the title track and "This Moment", but there's a bit of repetition in style that could use more of that ethnic influence to fire up the tamales. Don't expect some sort of wild progressive beast here, but if for some reason you find yourself in the mood for one of those Lacuna coil types groups, this album is easily one of the better representatives of that style, specifically due to the talent involved.

The problem with this record is that most of the songs sound as if we have already heard them somewhere else and as there is not much diversity on the album, especially the middle part of the album gets very long and boring. Songs like "Games We Play" are very ordinary and I ask myself why this kind of music is still written nowadays as we have all heard that over and over again. The boring piano ballad "Run Away" is even worse and is filled with many clichés and a lot of kitsch which enemies of the genre often criticize.

You can't find a couple of good average songs on this album like "A Part Of You" that reminds a lot of Edenbridge and as I like this band I also like this indirect homage to them. The Radiohead cover song "Street Spirit" is a very progressive and powerful track but still only a cover track. It would be great if the band would write this kind of songs for their next record and head for a more progressive touch as they do a convincing job with this one.

There are still a few well done songs on the record. "The Art Of Loss" is a good opener, tight and yet quite diversified in comparison to the rest of the record. The other really good song on this record is "Burn My Pain" with its experimental, dark and atmospheric vibes that give the whole thing a slightly Asian folk touch. I must also admit that "In The End", though it is almost a cheesy pop song, is catchy as hell and does a very good job and also works well live.

After all, this album keeps the balance between inoffensive ordinary songs and a couple of catchy tracks. The band is sympathetic and I would wish them to find their own style soon because some little glimpses of genius are already well hidden on this record. But after all, this album is rather enjoyable background music and not yet a breakthrough. This band is only one out of many. The next time, they should put more heart, soul and uniqueness in their album and I will surely give them another chance.

Originally published on www.metal-archives.com on February 3rd of the year 2011.

The second one was awful :a very simple Gothic pop rock album as the worst of Evanesence(for example).

This one is a kind of a mix ...mostly of the songs are good( taking apart if in the qualification is prog or not prog)..nice melodies ..not so good the instrumental arrangements ...but in spite...good music..

In my opinion the genre is prog metal(again) may be because of...Flames...the genre was re- evaluated as prog related.

Some very good songs in the style of Ayreon (the dis-toned heavy ones) and others remind me very much Kingfisher Sky,s (heavy prog).

So still this is a solid band with an excellent M.Bovio.

3.5 stars...but it is so comfortably to listen to this work in comparison to the last one that I will stay in 4.

Having purchased (and enjoyed) the first CD 'Embrace The Storm' on the strength of the association of Arjen Lucassen I was uncertain what to expect with 'The Flame Within'.

Overall 'The Flame Within' maintains the same high standard as 'Embrace The Storm' and it is true that Arjen is not missed. The writing, musicianship and production are all very good. The songs are all typically about 4 minutes length with one instrumental track "Street Spirit" (5:23). Although all are of a similar style, the music does not feel repetitive and makes for a good listen.

I don't think any prog archive listener would be disappointed with this work in their collection and I expect that most fans of Gothic music would rate this highly.

3.4 stars. Very good but not essential.

Not so for "The Flame Within". It's hardly ground-breaking or challenging, but it delivers in a very solid way. Combining Marcella's amazingly beautiful vocals with these great, catchy melodic ideas makes this album a winner. And the lyrics on this album are mostly very good. It is for these reasons that I feel a rating somewhat above "good" is deserved.

Stream of Passion finds Arjen Lucassen in a more straightforward format. There's none of the lyrical excesses or the pompous orchestration of his main project Ayreon. Nor will you find any traces of that band's operetta / musical approach. Instead we get treated to cleverly composed 5-minute songs, sung by an angel and pressed forward by an endless parade of catchy metal guitar grooves. The execution actually outshines the Gathering's Mandylion and Nighttime Birds by a few miles and can be seen as a musical perfection of what they were up to on those albums.

But, because I had to mention the Gathering already 5 or 6 times in this little review, I can never grant this album 5 starts. Stream of Passion surely delivered a landmark album in this little gothic-metal-with-a-spoonful-of-prog niche but it's not the milestone that - you know who by now ? released on us more then 10 years earlier.

"The Art Of Loss" opens with piano and vocal melodies as it kicks in heavily. Vocals follow. Some ripping guitar after 2 1/2 minutes and the vocals are great. "In The End" puts the focus squarely on the vocals which isn't a bad thing. Drums and piano are prominant as well. Tasteful guitar solo 2 1/2 minutes in. "Now Or Never" opens with piano and heavy riffs then it settles when the vocals arrive. A catchy tune as the contrasts continue. "When You Hurt Me The Most" is my third favourite. Piano and reserved vocals to start as it builds. She sounds excellent here. Guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in then it ends as it began.

"Run Away" opens with piano (I see a theme here) as reserved vocals join in. Some violin here in this ballad although we do get some power late. Not a fan of this one. "Games We Play" is heavy early until vocals and piano arrive, although the heaviness comes and goes. "This Endless Night" has this powerful undercurrent I like. "My Leader" has a good intro then it settles with vocals and piano. Contrasts continue. I like the vocal melodies. "Burn My Pain" is my favourite. Some atmosphere finally as vocals and heaviness come in. I really like the synths here. A very uplifting song. "Let Me In" is pretty good but "Street Spirit" is much better. My number two. I just like how intense it is and of course the vocals. "A Part Of You" opens with guitar followed by the heaviest section yet. It then settles with vocals the rest of the way. "All I Know" features a guest string quartet with piano and reserved vocals.

This is very close to being 4 stars for me but I can't pull the trigger. 3.5 stars.