Independent Release
Review by Tony Cannella
Alhena is a progressive rock/metal outfit from Poland. The band formed in 2010 and here they are with their self-titled EP. Actually at 35-minutes it is more like an EP. Since the release of “Alhena” the band has switched singers, replacing Katarzyna Dziemianowicz with Natalia Bassak. The first five songs are with their previous singer and the final two tracks are re-recorded versions of two songs with their new vocalist. “Trial” gets us started and has a nice ethereal and melancholic vibe. The next track “Better” is a song that changes tempos several times and is really a complex track. It’s got a nice guitar riff and the bands use of synths are well done and don’t overwhelm anything. “You Lost Me” is a cool ballad that could be easily accessible if given the chance. “Breath” has a romantic, ethereal vibe and “Nemesis” is a pretty cool instrumental. The whole thing is completed with re-recorded versions of “Trial” and “Better” with Natalia Bassak. I personally can’t pick one over the other. I think both singers bring something different to the table and I think either one is a perfect fit for this band. Of course it is always risky when a band changes lead singers. After listening to their self-titled EP, both singers are more than capable. Overall, Alhena has released a pretty cool EP and with the addition of Natalia Bassak on vocals the future looks bright.
Rating – 78/100
Tracklist
- Trial
- Better
- You Lost Me
- Breath
- Nemesis
- Trial (with Natalia Bassak – 2012)
- Better (with Natalia Bassak- 2012)
Line Up
- Katarzyna Dziemianowicz – Vocals
- Tomasz Bogulski – Guitars
- Piotr Kowalski – Synths
- Tadeusz Kolecki – Bass
- Piotr Grugel – Drums