Dark Sarah - "Attack of Orym"

Dark Sarah is a blend of Symphonic, Gothic, and Neoclassical Metal which some critics have described as “Cinematic” Metal. Presently, I’m not sure that applies to this album, but I suspect the album is telling a story (I haven’t yet read through all of the lyrics) because that seems to be one of their things - the band’s name comes from a character on their first album.

Fans of *old* NIghtwish might find a lot to love about this band and this album, as they follow the old Beauty and the Beast template with clean female/harsh male vocals; the clean vocals are semi-operatic, so not quite to Tarja levels. They also sound very similar to Leaves Eyes, but with less Viking themes and imagery, as Heidi Parviainen’s voice often sounds light and damselly - she lacks the strength and depth of peers such as Charlotte Wessels, Floor Jansen, Anneke van Giersbergen, and Sharon den Adel. That is likely, from my limited perspective, due to the songs being written in a lower register than her soprano voice may prefer. Her performance isn’t bad by any means, however.

This one is good enough for Teal for now. I have to acknowledge that my opinion of it may grow as I become more familiar with it. It’s definitely good, complex Symphonic Metal.

Rating: Teal Green