SERENITY – Words Untold & Dreams Unlived

This was about time! For quite a while Serenity were an insider’s tip that earned raving reviews for their demo in most German Metal magazines, but still remained unsigned. Napalm Records are the lucky ones to now have their signature under a contract.

Serenity are from Austria, a country that is -– except for a few Black and Extreme Metal bands — not known for their metallic output. Serenity is the exception here, as they made themselves a name in the underground and were recognized by many when they supported Dio in 2004. Now, with the album in hand, or better in ear, fans should all regret to have missed those shows.

Serenity is labelled Progressive Melodic Metal, which only fits partially. On most songs, they are as progressive as, say, Ronnie’s compositions, so Prog fanatics should probably risk an ear before they buy. Everybody else, count your money already … since Worlds Untold & Dreams Unlived has a good chance of being among this year’s top ten albums.

The album opens with a SciFi-influenced track based on the book Dune by Frank Herbert, nicely hinted at by oriental sounds that make you immediately imagine a desert, which is the most Progressive track on the album and reminds of Threshold –- not only because of Geord Neuhauser’s brilliant vocals that at times sound like Andrew McDermott. They could not have picked a better track to start! But, slightly In Flames or Soilwork influenced “Reduced To Nothingness” can keep up with the opener and has one of the catchiest refrains on the album, before one of the two short instrumentals that give the album its named interrupts and give a short time to rest.

Lordi’s success at the European Song Contest last year made a lot of Metal bands apply to appear for their country at this year’s event. “Circle Of My 2nd Life” with its Poppy tune and mellow middle part was among the songs picked to represent Austria. And, it continues down the quality road: “Engraved Within” from their demo sounds even better here, with piano parts and heavy riffing complementing each other nicely, and it also has an orchestral part that was the weak point of the demo version but now sounds as it should; and track six, “Forever,” is an uptempo Melodic Rock track with a very catchy chorus, before the second short instrumental “Dreams Unlived” heralds the last part of the album with three more tracks of fine Melodic Metal: mid-tempo “Dead Man Walking,” epic “From Where The Dark Is Born,” and “Thriven” complete the circle, as these sound more Progressive again and is reminiscent of Threshold.

What Serenity delivers is nothing less than a wonderful and remarkable debut album that every Melodic Metal fan should have in his collection. If you still need convincing, the band tells you what their influences are on their Web page. The album tracks – with one exception – are totally available, so let them help you decide if this is a release for you.

Influences

Georg Neuhauser (Vocals): Kamelot, Queen, Symphony X
Thomas Buchberger (Guitar): Dream Theater, Metallica, Rage, Racer X
Mario Hirzinger (Keyboards): Soilwork, Dark Tranquility, Evergrey, Pagan’s Mind, Mercenary
Andreas Schipflinger (Drums): Toto, Planet X, Dream Theater
Simon Holzknecht (Bass): Dream Theater, Zero Hour, Sun Caged, Cannibal Corpse (uh, ignore the last one for comparison …)