I have a feeling the “tags” at the bottom of this review might end up being longer than the review itself! That’s basically because Ukrainian Metallers Scarleth have it all going on, and just when you think you have them pinned down, here comes the kitchen sink…
It’s no bad thing, quite the reverse to be honest, and all this breeds an infectious vitality that flows throughout “The Silver Lining”. Where to start…where to start…well here’s a thought, we could start with the opening track (duh!) and be falsely lulled by it’s dramatic and reflective keyboard intro until the drums, guitar and bass join the throng and before we know where we are, there are elements of Krypteria, Lullacry, Amaranthe and Lunatica all vying for supremacy! It’s a combination of the varied, powerful dynamic of the music combined with the fabulous vocals of the strikingly named Oksana Element that bring those four initially to mind. However, there’s some grunted vocals too every now and again that also makes me think of Trail of Tears or Serenia, reflecting the way they combine them with female vocals and heavy music. These are probably the bands that Scarleth remind me of most frequently…along with My Inner Burning and recent especially on ‘Double Memory’ and ‘Voices’). There’s no doubt more that I’ve missed but I think that’s enough to be going on with…
…But of course, that’s not the whole story. There’s plenty of Stratovarius about the urgent keyboards which brings in some sparky neoclassical elements (which, when coupled with the same style guitar are particularly effective on the galloping ‘Pure Desire’), but then they balance that with a piano led track like ‘Dying Alone’ that has an All Ends-type immediate accessibility about it. Best not forget the Eastern flavour of’ ‘The Gates Of Dark Sun’ and definitely not bypass the wonderfully folk-tinged ‘One Short Life’ reminiscent of Falconer and Arven.
However, this is not a disjointed album by any means, somehow the skill of the band and their arrangements make it all flow. I’m not sure if this is by design or just the fresh combination of musicians involved (only guitarist Viktor Morozov remains from their 2011 debut album) that gives Scarleth their energy and drive, but it certainly works. All instruments combine to make this an interesting and compelling album, with some excellent individual performances (the guitars are powerful and technical, the bass tight and solid, the keys manage to be manic one minute and beautiful the next, and the vocals suitably melodic, dramatic and executed with note-perfect passion and flair) – but I must give special mention to the drums! The intricately smooth and imaginative time-changes, coupled with power, dexterity, thought and precision, gel everything together, giving the music and other instruments a perfect basis to work their magic – often an important and overlooked ingredient.
With “The Silver Lining” Scarleth have crafted an album that you can dip in and out of and possibly never get the same impression of the band on each track, yet in that they have written such a varied album that listening to it from start to finish always keeps the listener guessing…and interested! And of course, the main thing you can derive from all this is no matter how many tags and comparisons I chuck at the band, it just goes further to prove that Scarleth combine everything into a sound and style of their own. It’s a damn fine one too!
(8/10 Andy Barker)
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