THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Norwegion act Triosphere's 'The Road Less Traveled' doesn't exactly take a detour through less traveled roads, but there is certainly one aspect of the band that's quite unique in this day and age, which would be vocalist / bassist Ida Haukland.

The music itself on this effort sounds like competently played melodic mid-paced power metal with only slight toe-dips into the waters of progressive metal. Essentially a guitar led affair with minor embellishments of keyboards and strings during certain tracks, although the short instrumental "The Last Haven" does seem to sport a mellotron...prog lovers rejoice! For the most part, though, it's pretty straightforward stuff, albeit with some healthy doses of double-bass pedaling and a few flirtations with faster tempos. Not that it's poorly conceived or executed, in fact tunes like "Driven" and "Watcher" are very cool metal tracks, but it's just not particularly progressive. I will give credit to the lyrics for delving into prog territory with that whole "man's place in the universe" angle.

Ida, as I mentioned earlier being the unique aspect, has quite an interesting voice. Technically accomplished for sure, but with a tone I rarely hear these days, metal or otherwise. She sounds tough. Tough as in that her huskier than average voice gives me the impression of a woman who chain-smokes and can crush foolhardy blokes at arm-wrestling or a beer can against her forehead. Yet she's got quite a vast vocal range with a good but not overused vibrato to boot. Also, on those rare occasions where she tones it down for mellow sections such as during the opening portion of "The Anger and the Silent Remorse", her delivery is smooth and alluring.

If one is looking for wild time signatures, keyboard madness, prominent soloing by instruments other than guitars and other typical prog metal calling cards, there's not much to find here. But the album is worth checking out if you're in the mood for something different while remaining highly skillful in regards to female vocals.