Attractive Chaos – Tame & Conquer
Attractive Chaos – Tame & Conquer
Self Released
Release Date: 14/08/2024
Running Time: 29:05
Review by David Barreto
7/10
Have you ever heard a Melodic Metal band that also uses some gritty vocals, orchestration and tempo changes? Sure you have, but get ready because there’s a new EP in this style coming out soon.
Attractive Chaos are back with their second EP this time called “Tame & Conquer”. Six tracks and twenty nine minutes that are long enough to paint a very distinctive landscape full of different sounds.
The Franco-Italian band does it again thanks to their strongest point: versatility. Yes, you can think this is the classic formula for Melodic Metal and in part it is, but on the other there are so many different parts that it makes the listening very enjoyable. Dark and aggressive songs, happy and uplifting songs, calmer interludes and faster verses, electronica, orchestration, flamenco, pop… a bit of everything, as you can see. And last but not least: clean operatic vocals and guttural screaming all surrounded by great musicianship and technical prowess. Definitely, this second work is a continuation of their previous EP, “The Fire Between Us”, keeping their style of having so many styles.
“Tame & Conquer” starts with ‘To The Moon’, an uplifting song with a great guitar solo. ‘Magical Powers’ is one of the singles already released that you can check on YouTube and it is dark, aggressive, powerful and alluring, a total banger. ‘Words on a Letter’ is slower, calmer and in my opinion a bit bland but with that chorus I am sure that, played live, this will make for a nice moment of connection between the band and the public since the melody is easy to sing and catchy enough. ‘Finally’ is the poppiest song on the record, with very catchy chorus and verses, uplifting and happy. Fans of darker music will not like this but I am pretty sure it will be a party on the stage! ‘Right Now’ is when they will burn the stage down… what a start! But then it suddenly dilutes into a softer, slower song. Hymn kinda thing. The song is nice but I find the start a little bit misleading and in the end it is not for me but many will really enjoy the beautiful melody.
To finish we have their most elaborated song, ‘Obsession’, where they really show all their influences, interests and ability. This is a crazy song, full of details and beautiful melodies. Flamenco style guitar, classic Power Metal guitar riffs, a catchy and sumptuous chorus and a beautiful interlude with piano and strings leading to a slower verse with two voices harmonised. This is exactly what I would expect from a Melodic Metal song. Ten out of ten. Great song!
The good: Versatility, style, great composition, awesome guitar tones.
The bad: I think I heard the bass in about 30 seconds in total. It’s quite a bit lost in the mix and except in some solo moments you cannot hear it.
The ugly: Emma’s voice sounds a bit flat and underwhelming most of the time but I blame 100% the production. The previous record does not have this issue and you can hear she is singing all out and in some parts it sounds really good but most of the time is a bit flat, like it is missing something… On the other hand, the vocals are very crisp, clear and the position in the mix is perfect throughout the whole record.
To much potential and slowly slowly getting there. Very interested in how their next record will turn out!
Hasta la vista, Ever-Metallers!
‘Magical Powers’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. To The Moon
02. Magical Powers
03. Words on a Letter
04. Finally
05. Right Now
06. Obsession
LINE-UP:
Lead vocals – Emma Elvaston
Bass, backing vocals – Pietro Paolo Lunesu
Guitar, backing vocals – Clément Botz
Guest vocals – Gabriele Gozzi
LINKS:
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