We had a quick listen to a couple of tracks of this when we were offered it amongst the hundreds of download reviews we get pitched each month and thought “nah it’s a little too Eurovision,” for comfort. A while later the disc landed through the door so I sat down to give it a proper listen. There is a message there if you want to get our attention and it partly worked as although this is indeed a little Eurovision at times it is not as dire as I thought it might be. Winter In Eden are one of many symphonic metal bands out there treading a well worn path and the austere brass embellishments to opening track ‘For The Few’ are straight out the Nightwish pomp cannon. This second album by the UK based band is the sort of thing that is going to appeal to many and the strength of it is based on very competent musicianship and the natural sound of singer Vicky Johnson’s vocals. Here is a singer who simply sings and does so without trying to hit any operatic peaks or to do things in a style that she is not comfortable with, it is a (for want of a better word) humble approach and it eases you into a very comfortable place not expectant on any tricks or manipulations of her style.
The Spinefarm etched keyboards sparkle ala Tubular Bells on ‘Possession’ make their mark. Whether the title is a hidden nod to a certain film I am not sure but if it is the humour is not lost even though this track is far too safe to need exorcising. Next we go to parts III-V of The Awakening; a quick look confirms that parts I-II came from the previous album of that name. We move through a slow and heart warming ballad with emotion and sweeping guitar solo into a more jagged fretwork laden stomping second part. Frankly I needed this to help wake me up as ‘Torment’ is more in the face the brass parts add a clamour to the groove. The impetus is lost though for ‘Descension,’ the closing chapter is purely instrumental fodder and honestly surplus to requirements, sounding like as thrilling as a cheese laden romance in a Bronte novel (and if you get off on that then this may well be perfect for you).
There are no huge surprises to come and the rest of the album veers between slower, melody rich numbers and faster ones with bursts of ‘Disney Metal’ symphonics. The vocal style on ‘Lies’ is a stand out part once you get through these particular orchestrations as they go into a sassy delivery which helps get the subject matter well and truly across.
At five minutes shy of an hour this is far too long a listen if you are really not into it and for me it could easily have lost a few of the slower numbers and been honed down to a much more comfortable half hour. That’s not to say that Winter In Eden are not without talent and given time and dedication they may well break through and be a much more recognised name. Good luck to them but to be honest I doubt very much that ‘Echoes’ is an album I am likely to be revisiting.
(5.5/10 Pete Woods)
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