We review Sirenia’s first album since returning to their original record label Napalm Records.
[tracklist]
01. Seti
02. Serpent
03. Once My Light
04. Elixir
05. Sons Of The North
06. Earendel
07. Concealed Disdain
08. Insania
09. Contemptuous Quitus
10. The Silver Eye
11. Tragedienne
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]60:13[/length]
[record_label]Napalm Records[/record_label]
[release_date]May 8th 2015[/release_date]
[/details]
Sirenia have arguably been one of the most consistent bands in the gothic metal scene ever since it’s inception in 2001. It’s easy to see why with a man like Morten Veland at the helm, who is responsible for writing Tristania’s most acclaimed albums in the late 90’s. With Sirenia as Veland’s main focus, the band have released an album every two years without losing the massive gothic lustre that has become so prominent with this band, despite the hinderance of many vocalist changes in the early years. Now with a consistent vocalist for quite a while now, the band have truly been able to establish their sound, so let’s see how album number 7 stacks up against the rest.
Those who are familiar with Veland and Sirenia will already know that the songwriting is always strong, and nothing has changed from the epic intro track of ‘Seti‘ transitioning into the neck-wrenching headbanger of a track ‘Serpent’. The first major aspect that one would notice of ‘The Seventh Life Path‘ is how remarkable the production is on the album – of course it has always been brilliant with Sirenia, but the difference in this case is that the songwriting has taken on more of an unstructured style which truly allows the instruments and choirs to be explosive.
Leading into ‘Once My Light‘, and ‘Elixir‘, nothing changes with a pristine use of guitar effects, and chugging riffs over an onslaught of atmospheric symphonies. It is representative of why Morten Veland has been labelled the godfather of Gothic Metal, and with tracks like ‘Sons of the North‘ and ‘Insania‘ one would not really dispute that claim.
‘The Seventh Life Path‘ is Sirenia refined. While in the last few years the band have focused on creating a more accessible sound while retaining their traditional Gothic elements, this album is much more free flowing. Vocalist Ailyn, being in the band for some time now, more than ever makes her lines and melodies as expressive and atmospheric as can be, with a prime example being in the baroque-esque ballad of ‘Tragedienne‘.
The album is a true Sirenia masterwork with a band that’s so consistent in their releases. A move back to the writing style of the early days has certainly paid off. If you have yearned for a return to the days of ‘At Sixes and Sevens‘ and ‘Elixir for Existence‘, you need this album. Hell, you all need this album! It’s the best damn gothic metal album to come out since early Sirenia.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]A refreshed Sirenia that dives back into the days of old. Sirenia’s best since ‘Elixir for Existence!'[/why]
