Facebook
Lion Music
by Craig Hartranft, 09.13.2012
French metal band Venturia returns with their third album, Dawn of a New Era, which could refer to their becoming a four piece act. Vocalist Marc Ferreira has been gone since 2009, with founder and guitarist Charly Sahona taking over to compliment Lydie Lazulli's leads.
Musically, however, this album could have been called Hybrid II, though it has a more commercial melodic metal feel than progressive metal. Venturia continues to pump in the sequences and synths, familiar to the previous work. Secret Dream, A New Dawn Rising, What We're Here For, and What If are all examples of Venturia mixing metal with a groove equally suitable for a European rave session or a heavy metal arena.
If it weren't for the inherent metal heaviness that informs most songs, or the same complimenting the closest thing to prog on A Land of Dreams or Devil in Disguise, I couldn't say what direction Venturia is heading. Frankly, I like the 'A Land of Dreams' side over the industrial discotheque side of What We're Here For. Nevertheless, Dawn of a New Era does present some entertaining challenges and deserves your attention.
Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.
TweetDawn of a New Era could be called Hybrid II, but Venturia seems to be after a more commerical melodic pop metal with only slight references to prog.
We have to dig deep, three decades, to find the origins of Atlantic, a project of songwriter, musician, and producer Simon Harrison (then Stranger, Wisht). Initially thought to be a one-off recording, Harrison ... [ Read More ]