Label : Blinding Force Recordings
Review by Tony Cannella
Active since 2007, the Minneapolis based Symphonic Metal Band Echoterra released their debut album “The Law of One” in 2009 with previous singer Suvi Virtanen. Following her departure the band were joined by ex-Visions of Atlantis singer Melissa Ferlaak for the “In Your Eyes” EP in 2010. That brings us to the present and the first full-length to feature Melissa Ferlaak, “Land of the Midnight Sun”. The pounding “After the Rain” opens the 48-minute album and Melissa Ferlaak once again proves that she is in fine voice and sounding better than ever. The next song, “The Best is Yet to Come” starts off with an almost thrashy pace, before settling into a nice mid-tempo groove the rest of the way. Next we have “Midnight Sun” which the band ups the pace a few notches, but still manages to make it a melodic, forceful tune. “The Ghost Within My Heart” has an angelic kind of opening and then continues in a mid-tempo range. “Unleash the Flood” is one of the heavier ones and sees Melissa really delivering one hell of a performance, she does on the whole album, but this one really stood out for me. Other highlights include: “All the Lies”, “A Different Story”, “Welcome My Friend of Misery” and “From the Gutter to the Throne”. Fans, who loved their previous efforts, will undoubtedly jump for joy over the new Echoterra. With Melissa Ferlaak firmly entrenched as vocalist “Land of the Midnight Sun” succeeds on so many levels.
Rating – 85/100
Tracklist
- After the Rain
- The Best Is Yet to Come
- Midnight Sun
- The Ghost Within My Heart
- All the Lies
- Unleash the Flood
- A Different Story
- Welcome My Friend of Misery
- Memories of Another Time
- From the Gutter to the Throne
- Genes of Isis
Line Up
- Melissa Ferlaak Koch – Vocals
- Yan Leviathan – Guitar
- Jonah Weingarten – Keyboards
- Brian Hollenbeck – Bass & Vocals
- Adam Sagan – Drums
Links
MySpace * ReverbNation * Facebook * Twitter