ACELSIA - EP review added 15th October 2010
EP Review: Primrose Path EP (2010)
For fans of: Soft Melodic Metal... and the colour red
Acelsia - Malene Markussen, Nils Alexander Rama, Håkon Hellerud, Marius Skarsem Pedersen, Odd Henning Skyllingstad - is a Norwegian band that originally started as an alternative rock solo project for singer Malene back in 2006.
With a demo, this "Primrose Path" EP out, and another EP "Quietude" on the way, the band now play more of a softened take on melodic rock - mixing influences from symphonic/operatic bands, chillout folk and more. Some demonic-howl vocals find their way onto the album too, giving the EP an occasional full-bore death metal feel.
The result is rather unusual, and quite unlike the majority of the music I get to hear. I still haven't totally gelled with the band's style, but the fact they are trying something different should be commended. Malene's vocals are very soft and pretty - almost childlike - and sit quite separately from the music. It's almost like someone singing over an instrumental album, rather than a cohesive all-in-one experience. But you know what? It works. It isn't perfect, but it's bloody interesting.
I'll be interested to hear what the new EP sounds like. The clips on MySpace suggest it's a bit heavier than this, although the separatist vocals still reign supreme. As is, "Primrose Path" is worth a listen if you fancy something thoroughly leftfield.
Check out... 'Love Passed On' with its death vocals.
Track List:
01. Preserved
02. Love Passed On
03. Slowhand
04. Empty
Artist's website(s): Acelsia | MySpace | Facebook
