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Band: Mena Brinno
Album title: Princess Of The Night
Release date: January 2013
Label: Self-Released
Tracklisting:
01. Princess Of The Night
02. Blackmail
03. Sonorous Dream
04. Serpentine Lullaby
05. Captive Soul
06. Sacrifice
07. Drown Within
08. Cross To Bear
Hm, another opera singer in metal waters... Actually this stuff is quite good and considering that it's self-released is pretty amazing. To tell you the truth the album in question Princess Of The Night is the first thing that I've heard from these USA symphonic gothic metallers Mena Brinno, though this is already their fourth full lenght. Eight tracks on this album amaze with the professionalism from all involved musicians, especially the great vocal performance of former opera singer Katy Decker, who in purse of different musical challenges found herself in a metal band, and great lead guitars played by Marius Kozlowski. Album is full of catchy melodies, background orchestrations, folk elements and almost power metal overtones, but the main feel is quite dark.
There's no doubt about musical skills of each involved member and you can be easily amazed already with the opening album titled "Princess Of The Night" and its imense power, great solos, beautiful top notch vocal performance, splendid drumming,... The use of flute and atmospheric keyboards adds that special mystical, gothy, celtic note. Then songs like slow paced, almost doomy "Blackmail", great, intense and catchy "Serpentine Lullaby" can be easily compared with the best that Nightwish ever did. Also very emotive ballad "Captive Soul" amazes with its composition and special atmosphere, though, to say the truth, the Nightwish elements are quite too evident here. "Sacrifice" is another not to be missed song, as the acoustic latino guitar lines, kind of celtic vibe and slight 70s prog rock elements are greatly mixed together and make one hell of mesmerizing sonic experience. The last song up here "Cross To Bear" is like a heavier version of Blackmore's Night track, even the vocals are a bit similar to Candice Night, but anyway the song sounds great.
Of course, there are also some songs that ruin the overall great picture and I must say that "Sonorous Dream" and "Drown Within" with their typical sympho-goth metal work out just like fillers. Apart from that Princess Of The Night is not to be missed album for all lovers of female fronted metal music. You won't hear such a great vocal performance so easily and add also great production, dynamic song structures and there you go. I really wish for Mena Brinno to get more recognition amongst the metal community, they certainly deserve it.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 8/10
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