Label : Rockfeld Records/SAOL
Review By Tony Cannella
From Germany, AnsoticcA are an exciting new presence in the realm of Female Fronted Symphonic Power Metal. Their debut album “Rise” offers the listener proof that this is one band to be reckoned with in 2011 and beyond.As soon as the intro “A New Dawn” kicks things off, it is time to sit back and enjoy about 60-minutes worth of the highest caliber of Symphonic Metal. “A New Dawn” gives way to the grinding metal riffs of “Endless Sacrifice”. AnsoticcA does a great job in keeping things interesting throughout “Rise” as they play with different tempos throughout the CD and consequently, “Rise” never gets boring. “Heaven Burns” and “Rise” continues in a positive direction, and “I’m Alive” became an instant favorite. One of the impressive things about AnsotIccA (okay, there is a lot to like about this band) was the fact they mixed symphonic elements with straight-forward heaviness, melodicism and displays a lot of versatility. Vocalist Carie van Heden is up to the task throughout the CD and she quickly became one of my favorite new vocalists. The pounding metal song “Faces (on Fire)”, gives way to the mid-tempo beauty of “Open Your Eyes” (a song that also features flute). Other highlights include: “Tears of a Clown” and the closing trio of “Open the Gates”, “Willing to Believe” and “Weight of the World”. “Rise” is a good, solid debut from AnsoticcA. This German band possesses plenty of talent and the songs on “Rise” are dramatic but not overblown and pretentious. Throughout the course of this 13-song, 60-minute CD AnsoticcA managed to hold my attention and didn’t let it go until the last note was played. I loved this band and I can’t wait to hear what they have planned on future recordings.
Rating – 95/100
Tracklist
- A New Dawn
- Endless Sacrifice
- Heaven Burns
- Rise
- I’m Alive
- In Silence
- Faces (on Fire)
- Open Your Eyes
- Our Time
- Tears of a Clown
- Open the Gates
- Willing to Believe
- Weight of the World
Line Up
- Carie van Heden – Vocals
- Adrian Delborg – Guitars
- Maarten de Vries – Keyboards
- Jay Zee – Bass
- Zack Rabarti – Drums
Links