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Amberian Dawn: Re-Evolution

Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal

3.5/5.0

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Spinefarm Records
by Craig Hartranft,  06.06.2013

Here's the skinny on the new Amberian Dawn album Re-Evolution: it's a compilation album of re-recorded material featuring their new singer Paivi "Capri" Virkkunen, a classically trained vocalist from the band's native Finland.

Amberian Dawn Re-Evolution: with new singer, Capri.

In 2012, the band parted ways with original singer Heidi Parviainen. After finding Virkkunen, the band decided to re-record some of their more familiar songs from previous albums to introduce her to fans. So is it really a 'new' studio album? Not if you're looking for new songs from the band. Perhaps the better question to ask is whether this was the best or right move to make. I'm not so sure.

Amberian Dawn should have taken a cue from Finnish brethren Nightwish. After their not so amicable split with Tarja, they found a great singer, different from her, in Anette Olzen, and went on to release new material, the great Dark Passion Play and the epic Imaginaerum . Fans found out how Olzen handled older Nightwish material when the band performed live and, likely, were not disappointed.

Having said all this, there's no quibbling about Capri's vocal skills. She has the power, range and control to be an asset to the band. The new recordings with her sound just fine. This makes me wonder again if Amberian Dawn shouldn't have simply hit the ground running with her and create new songs for her. I suppose they thought the band wouldn't accept her if they didn't hear doing the old stuff. But that begs the question. What if this album's reception by the fans is less than warm? Does AD go looking for another singer? Whatever. For what the band intended, Re-Evolution succeeds at the task.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Re-Evolution is merely Amberian Dawn re-recording some more familiar songs to introduce their new lead singer. In other words, it's a 'new' compilation album.

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