On disc: Stream Of Passion

 
 The Flame Within
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Darker Days
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Darker Days

(Napalm Records - 2011)



 
 

 

Stream Of Passion was founded by Arjen Lucassen and singer Marcela Bovio, Arjen Lucassen left the band later on. Now Marcela Bovio and her mates present their 3rd album which is called Darker Days.



They kick off with Lost, a symphonic gothic tune spiced up with sound element and even a dash of progressiveness. Quite dramatic. Like the opener Reborn is showing different facets and tempi changes. A heavy groove leads you into Collide, they switch between groove parts and slow, almost fragile sounding passages. Spark begins with piano and vocals, one more time it shows Marcela Bovio's skills and personally I like the balladesque parts most and so dig Spark. The title track has a slight progressive edge and a dash of melancholy, that's when Stream Of Passion sound best to me, coz it makes them differ from so many other female-fronted symphonic metal bands. Broken is one of the highlights of Darker Days, it starts slowly, focusing on the vocals. Then the others join in and it becomes a kind of power ballad with a progressive edge. More piano and vocals you get at Nadie LoVe! The closer The World Is Ours is a more typical tune, but I miss something memorable...



Darker Days is a good album which genre fans should dig. I think Stream Of Passion is developing their own style which at the moment shows best at the balladesque tunes and when progressive elements are audible. A bit catchiness would do the songs good, or at least to have something hooking you up right away. But it's easier said than done. Well done, let's see what they offer next time!

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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The Flame Within

(Napalm Records - 2009)



 
 

 

In 2005 Arjen Lucassen founded Stream Of Passion with singer Marcela Bovio. After one album and a live CD / DVD Mr. Lucassen left Stream Of Passion to Marcela who found a new line-up in her hometown. And so this album is a band effort!

The Art Of Loss is the album opener, a heavy, but symphonic rocker with aggressive riffs and a dash of sadness. As a kind of legacy from Arjen the songs have a slight progressive edge which shows at In The End - a beautiful balladesque tune which comes alive through Marcela's vocals! Partly Marcela reminds me a bit of Cristina Scabbia... Anyway, an enchanting song! With Now Or Never they add some heavy, crunchy riffs and present a melodic rocker with symphonic elements. But then they stop dead and its only vocals and piano - a bit Evanescence-like... After the emotional Run Away they get back the metal riffs and add a heavy groove for Games We Play. With Burn My Pain they combine heavy modern riffs and emotional vocals - which reminds me again a bit of Evanescence, but well... A Part Of You has the same ingredients, but reminds me more of the Milanese Lacuna Coil... Based on an unusual drum pattern this one sticks out a bit and its less symphonic. One of my favorites on The Flame Within, but the song needs a few spins to develop it's beauty! Last, but not least the balladesque All I Know! The closer sounds somehow familiar...

Okay, Stream Of Passion present as so many female-fronted bands a mix of symphonic sounds and metal riffs, but they aren't as bombastic as Within Temptation and the emotional vocals of Marcela Bovio also make them differ. They partly have a progressive edge and more complex structures which makes them stick out as well. So their fans won't be disappointed and everybody who likes female-fronted symphonic metal should check out The Flame Within.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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