Well apparently as I sit down to write this it is International Women’s Day which is apt as this album is conceptually driven by the feminine figure represented by (and I am using the labels words here) “archetypes such as angel and devil, life and death, witch and healer, salvation and perdition.” Intriguing, well certainly and it has to be said that the defining test to you the listener on whether you consider these Italians to be radiant or diabolycal (sic) is on first encounter with singer Karin’s vocals. Apparently the group were on forming an all-female act but are now only half so with the vocalist and guitarist being joined by male drummer and bassist. This is their debut album and it is one that musically ticks a lot of boxes being described as progressive, heavy and power metal and taking in comparisons from everyone from Dream Theatre, to King Crimson, through to Rush and Arcturus!
Pressing play I am greeted by an intro ‘Towards Doom’ which flows nicely out the speakers and sets things up with a twisting progressive flow. Moving into ‘Another Way’ we are thrust into a choppy instrumental miasma which has a certain schizophrenic feel and then dropped on our heads by those incredibly operatic vocals. You may at this point find yourself desperately looking to hit the off button, I kind of did as they are pompous and over the top in their theatrical delivery, as the music goes into an equally flamboyant peel it is worth sticking around to hear if it all gels together. I guess it does too as after a few more listens I am getting more into this but whilst admiring the technicality at play finding it equally over the top. It is not all high operatic warbling from the singer though and ‘Behind The Light’ sees Karin sounding a bit more natural although there is still a forced and loud in the face feel about the way she is conveying herself in a fashion that stridently rises. One thing I will say about her vocals that are certainly in their favour is that they are pretty unique and I could not exactly find it easy to make comparisons to anyone else at all. Musically things constantly twist and turn, the band seem to favour the 8 minute or so mark for their songs and there is a lot going on here. Perhaps fans of the aforementioned will find more favour in this than I have as I can see similarities in all apart from Arcturus. There are parts that remind of avant-garde French band Akphaezya and it really is just as an eclectic if not quite so deranged a listen.
The somewhat calming instrumental midway juncture ‘Reasonance’ is a nice gorgeous little piece and it gives you a bit of a break before the more giddy histrionics are back to send you spinning around. The good points here certainly outweigh the bad ones as you become more accustomed to the bands skewed and at times unorthodox structured sounds. The musicianship is top notch, guitarist Federica particularly keeping us on our toes with some neat flailing solos suddenly flailing out of the speakers. The somewhat witchy sounding vocals on ‘Le Poison A La Mode’ are like listening to a musical Macbeth, well witches were mentioned and it could be where that notion comes from and although the album has not put a complete spell on me it is one I can definitely appreciate. So all in all an intriguing listen even if it was one that for me was a bit different and slightly out my comfort zone. Considering this is just a debut though Radiance are well worth keeping an eye on.
(6.5/10 Pete Woods)
http://www.facebook.com/Radiancemetalband
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