Very promising debut from this young Italian band.
Evenoire are another in a long line of female fronted symphonic/gothic metal bands to enter what, in my view anyway, is becoming a rather over-populated genre. But on the evidence of the material on their debut full length ‘Vitriol’ this band have the talent and most importantly the songs to breakthrough to the premier league and challenge established trailblazers like Nightwish, Within Temptation and Epica. Like all these bands it’s the quality of their vocalist that really sets them apart from the pack. Lisy Stefanoni’s voice occupies the same mezzo-soprano range as Sharon Den Adel and Simone Simons but is at its best when she stays in the mid ranges where it has a powerful, ethereal yet innocent quality to it that in some ways also reminds me of Berlin’s Terri Nunn (which is no bad thing don’t you think?).
Following a short sweeping orchestral piece the album kicks off with ‘Days Of The Blackbird’, which if I’m honest is probably the weakest of the 9 cuts on offer. It’s basically a progressive metal work out with an over reliance on semi operatic wailing from Lisy and sums up for me all that is wrong with a lot of the acts in this genre. From then on though, things improve markedly with songs bristling with energy and atmosphere and Lisy powering through the mid ranges of her remarkable voice. ‘Misleading Paradise’ is a perfect example with its chugging riff, odd time signatures, tinkling keys, some deft flute touches courtesy of Lisy and its soaring arena filling guitar solo. Guitarists Alessandro Gervasi and Toshiro Brunelli show themselves to be not only fine players but they possess a real gift for lead solos and breaks which are uniformly excellent throughout. As you delve further into the album Evenoire add more folk and medieval touches that only enhance the mood of songs. Take the Celtic swirl of the sunning ‘Girl By The Lake’ for example or the stirring ‘Minstrel Of Dolomites’ that creates the imagery of Highlanders running across the moors brandishing their broadswords only to throw down their weapons and head for a ceilidh when the songs breaks into a jig halfway through. Stirring stuff indeed!
Topped off with a crisp, crystal clear production courtesy of Jan Vacik and Mario Lochert, who have worked with the likes of Kamelot and Visions of Atlantis in the past, ‘Vitriol’ is a very promising debut from this young Italian band and if you are a fan of this genre then I would heartily recommend that you check them out.
Alister Strachan
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