Here at Musical Chairs we love new music by new artists with an exciting vision and that is what we have here. We let Gary Lee loose, on the metal 'side' of The Endless Sea, the first release by The Gentle Storm.
Hailing from the Netherlands, Gentle Storm are a metal band that are very 'European' in flavour. Taking the conceptual storytelling of prog, the sound and rhythm of folk and the power and energy of power metal to create something very much their own. The Endless Sea is the first full length release for this project, which has been contributed to by a bevy of musicians from different backgrounds and bands. The release itself is an interesting concept. A 2 disc format, both containing the same songs but executed in different styles and with different arrangements. Disc 1 contains the 'gentle' versions of the songs, which take on a more acoustic and folk led style. However, disk 2 contains the 'storm' version of the songs, which fuse the aforementioned folk style with a metal approach. I must stress that both versions of each of the songs are worth checking out. Although, this being a metal review, I will be dealing solely in the 'storm' versions of the songs.
The album opens with The Endless Sea and The Heart of Amsterdam, both of which were the first two singles from this release. The Endless Sea kicks the album off just as you imagine it should; a sample of the sea plays while the tolling of what I can only assuming is some sort of harbour or lighthouse bell tolls. Instantly an ambiance is created, lulling you into the story of the sea and the journey you are about to undertake. There is a short choir/chanting section, along with a dramatic chord progression which pulls you in further before Anneke's siren vocals embrace you. The song is drama and tension played out in music and even though this is the 'storm' version of the song, the folk elements are still very much the vocal point here, with the drumming being the most apparent metal attribute. Although the guitar solo that points towards the outro of the track is a nice touch, while being nothing ground-breaking, it sure does sound nice.
While The Endless Sea showed the drama and power of The Gentle Storm, The Heart of Amsterdam typifies the energy and seduction of folk music and pairs that off with the pace of metal music, with the bridge being a particular highlight. Anneke's beautiful vocals now reach their full operatic range and the interplay between all the stringed instruments is much more interesting than it was in The Endless Sea. All of this is underpinned by a simple, but effective, bass/drum line that gallops along and pulls the listener with it.
Once the two singles are out of the way, the album moves sorrowfully to The Greatest Love.The song itself is not particularly weak, but unfortunately it is sandwiched between The Heart Of Amsterdam and The Shores of India, both of which are battling it out to be my favourite song from this release and as such The Greatest Love becomes somewhat forgettable.
The Shores of India opens with a horn section that play out the main melody of the song and I love inclusion of the gong. However, it isn't long before the guitars crash through and add a whole new level of presence to this song. Speaking of presence....that snare! I just wanted to take a moment and mention how snappy that is, it punches through the mix well and really hooks the beat. Anneke's vocals are once again really on display here, the pre chorus with its almost sinister, perhaps threatening, rhythm and lower tone works so well with the chorus and its higher, much more powerful range. Once again, there is something seductive about this song, it has a power and a presence that almost calls on you to hear more of it.
This tension is continued through Cape of Storms, which opens with a low end, threatening sound of strings which gradually lighten and open up, once again, doing all they can to beckon the listener through the journey of this release. Whereas The Moment opens in a grander fashion, much in the way The Shores of India did, but continues the exploration of the 'love' in the story, offering a contemplative side dish to The Greatest Love.
The Storm appropriately ups the the metal elements, beginning with an oscillating riff that conjures up images of a powerful storm whipping about. The folky elements are still around, but taking a bit more of a backseat than usual here, while Anneke's vocals are less operatic than they were in any of the singles. However, the choir is back to offer their help in that department, once again adding tension and drama to the song in a very 'movie soundtrack' kind of way. The song does a tremendous job of managing the emotional build and fall that most auditory art must master, a great piece of story-telling.
The Brightest Light shines a spot on the optimism of a deed done and a return home. Filled with uplifting major chords and the grandeur of power metal, this is a victory/success song through and through. Making a refreshing change after all the songs that sought to build tension, we are back to the jovial end of the folk sound. New Horizons then continues this motif, before the album wanders through Epilogue:The Final Entry, the closing track to this vagabonds release.
The Endless Sea is a fine début for a project I can only hope continues. It tells an interesting story, both musically and lyrically. It also explores ground in an interesting way with the dual release. However, prog/power metal can sometimes be considered a bit too grand, or flimsy for some. Yet all things considered, it has turned out interesting and I believe it has achieved what it set out to achieve rather astutely. The Endless Sea is available now, released on Inside Out Music and can be purchased here or found on iTunes.
Article by Gary Lee (@thewheelbear)
For more info and to keep up with everything we have to offer here at Musical Chairs, please like and support our Facebook page!
Once the two singles are out of the way, the album moves sorrowfully to The Greatest Love.The song itself is not particularly weak, but unfortunately it is sandwiched between The Heart Of Amsterdam and The Shores of India, both of which are battling it out to be my favourite song from this release and as such The Greatest Love becomes somewhat forgettable.
This tension is continued through Cape of Storms, which opens with a low end, threatening sound of strings which gradually lighten and open up, once again, doing all they can to beckon the listener through the journey of this release. Whereas The Moment opens in a grander fashion, much in the way The Shores of India did, but continues the exploration of the 'love' in the story, offering a contemplative side dish to The Greatest Love.
The Storm appropriately ups the the metal elements, beginning with an oscillating riff that conjures up images of a powerful storm whipping about. The folky elements are still around, but taking a bit more of a backseat than usual here, while Anneke's vocals are less operatic than they were in any of the singles. However, the choir is back to offer their help in that department, once again adding tension and drama to the song in a very 'movie soundtrack' kind of way. The song does a tremendous job of managing the emotional build and fall that most auditory art must master, a great piece of story-telling.
The Brightest Light shines a spot on the optimism of a deed done and a return home. Filled with uplifting major chords and the grandeur of power metal, this is a victory/success song through and through. Making a refreshing change after all the songs that sought to build tension, we are back to the jovial end of the folk sound. New Horizons then continues this motif, before the album wanders through Epilogue:The Final Entry, the closing track to this vagabonds release.
The Endless Sea is a fine début for a project I can only hope continues. It tells an interesting story, both musically and lyrically. It also explores ground in an interesting way with the dual release. However, prog/power metal can sometimes be considered a bit too grand, or flimsy for some. Yet all things considered, it has turned out interesting and I believe it has achieved what it set out to achieve rather astutely. The Endless Sea is available now, released on Inside Out Music and can be purchased here or found on iTunes.
Article by Gary Lee (@thewheelbear)
For more info and to keep up with everything we have to offer here at Musical Chairs, please like and support our Facebook page!
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