Sound Island

This work of Swedish band Amaran qualitatively differs from their debut album World Depraved” (2002), mostly in compositional view. Almost every song is based on several musical themes, passing through each other during the song.

The style which Amaran performs suppossably tends to what is called power metal, but it also includes slight elements of progressive and even death metal. Nevertheless, featured by variety of rich melodic solos and magnificent female vocals, it is still easy to listen.

Johanna De Pierre’s way of singing is very emotional and makes a deep impression. By using her strong voice of a great range she performs complex vocal parts, making wide leaps between melodical sequences.

In general, powerful instrumental sound and dramatic vocal s represent a quite felicitous mixture. Lyrical “Coming Home”, impressive “Katharsis”, melodious “24 Pills” are the most remarkable of that unique metal fusion style presented at the album.

Bands: The Haunted/Dark Tranquillity
Location: O-EAST, Tokyo, Japan
Date: Jan 19, 2008

“Double Titans in Japan” was the slogan of the tour which had Tokyo as its closing point. Well, it’s hard to argue, the bands no doubt represent an elite of melodic death metal scene and that night they gave us a brilliant show made of both aggressive atmosphere and dynamic guitar solos.

The Haunted: Their set was arousing. A massy, well-balanced instrumental sound was the first good impression. Powerful bass and deep tom drums were filling the space with low rumble while distorted rhytm and solo guitar completed the sound perfectness. As the first chords struck up, the fans went nuts and the hall began to shake under shattering guitar riffs and crowd jumps.

Peter Dolving’s erratic behaviour at the stage was one of the features of whole performance. His furious and spontaneous movements changed repeatedly into sudden freezing with a fixed stare into the crowd, just to explode with the rage again. As for me, the most notable thing was outstanding live performance of the lead guitarist. The way he carried his technical solos and chunky riffs was really exciting. Anyone who is mad about that mixture of violent rhythm and dynamic solo phrases should be able to understand my delight.

Dark Tranquillity: After the staff had changed the stage with instruments and other musical equipment and a prompt sound-check was completed, at last! the Swedish melodic death metal legend is right in front of us! Their equipment was extended by keyboards which are that cutting edge of Dark Tranquillity’s gloomy atmosphere. Short salutation and here we are, let the insanity begins!

During the show there was an amazing sensation of emotional intensity around. People were yelling, snarling, performing crowd-diving and let emotions out. On “Final Resistance” (”Damage Done”, 2002) we all took up the guitar bridge melody and joined our voices in a ambient and powerful “wooh-wooh-wooh” which was sounding as a roaring stadium during football match. The band members were also extremely active, especially the bass player who all the time kept in touch with the crowd. But who amazed me most of all was their vocalist. It was the first time I visited Dark Tranquillity live and before I actually imagined Mikael Stanne to be a dismal person who are hostile towards everyone and permanently self-absorbed. But how unexpectedly sociable and friendly he was to the audience!

It obviously was a great pleasure for the band to play here, Mikael called Tokyo “the capital of metal music” and expressed admiration for the local listeners. When the live is over he stepped down from the stage right to the first row, so we could salute him in person and shake his hand.