53 which definitely gives us the right impression on what is about to follow. A rather “in your face” track, I would say. Jake E and Elize Ryd sing “so set me free and this time you will be electrified future is nothing behind, it’s my afterlife”.
Amaranthe - The Nexus Amaranthe are back on track! Oh, wait a second: Have they ever stopped being in the spotlight? The answer to this question is no. Touring with Kamelot and Stratovarius (as co-headliners), getting millions of views on youtube, signing a contract with Spinefarm Records and becoming “the next best thing” in female fronted metal scene (and not only that) are not things that happen every day. Elize Ryd met Jake E in a bar in Gothenburg, Sweden and this is more or less how everything began back then. To be honest, I cannot recall any other bands similar to Amaranthe. They are one of a kind, since they play a unique type of music: melodic death/power metal blended with pop and metalcore elements. Their music includes almost everything: pop choruses, harsh vocals, melodic clean male and female vocals, electro elements, blast beats, harsh riffs. Their self-titled debut was extremely well-received by the fans and the press. So, the time for Amaranthe’s second studio album had finally come! “The Nexus”, which will be released via Spinefarm Records, was recorded, mixed and mastered in late 2012 at Hansen Studios in Denmark (Volbeat, Avantasia, Pretty Maids, Doro, Diabulus In Musica, Dragonland) with Jacob Hansen as their producer. The band worked with Hansen studios for their debut album, too. The artwork of the album was done by Gustavo Sazes. The album starts off with “Afterlife”
“Invincible” continues in the same style. As for “The Nexus”, it is already released as the album’s first single and it is indeed one of the catchiest songs I have ever heard in my life. The official video released by the band for the same song was directed by the one and only Patric Ullaeus and it is more or less a small action movie. “Theory of Everything” is full of metalcore elements (Andreas Solveström carries us away with his performance at the bridge). “Stardust” is a beautiful track with Elize Ryd mainly behind the mic, which also features a small but nice and sharp guitar solo. “Burn with Me” was a small surprise for me: a down-tempo track with acoustic guitar parts in the beginning, some rather rap male vocals here and there, an epic chorus and overall is a nice duet between two great vocalists (Elize Ryd and Jake E). “Mechanical Illusion” is in my opinion another one of the catchiest tracks included in this album. It is actually a “radio friendly” track and I have a strange feeling that it will be a single in the future.
solo. Is this enough? I think so! “Electroheart” has definitely a dance beat and a chorus that will stick in your head for a quite long time! In “Transhuman” the keys play the main role. Another strong track which features intense drumming and an impressive guitar solo. In the last song of the album, “Infninity”, Elize Ryd sings “infnity keeps me alive” and makes us feel rather nostalgic. As I mentioned before, Amaranthe is a unique band for sure: It features 3 different vocalists (Elize Ryd clean female vocals, Jake E clean male vocals and Andreas Solveström harsh vocals), all of whom participate in almost every track. What makes this album so special? Well, I don’t know if Amaranthe are excellent musicians, I have never seen them live so I don’t have a certain opinion on their abilities on stage. In any case, “The Nexus” is an album full of creative elements (this electro/industrial feeling all over, the small but accurate guitar solos here and there, the fast alternation between the vocalists, the intense drumming), strong choruses and catchy melodies. Even if you do not dig their style (e.g. they mix many and different music styles and elements) be sure that some of the choruses will stick on your head! Also, I was thrilled that for once I listened to an album which features some sci-fi and futuristic lyrics (“Stardust” and “Future on Hold”). Don’t forget that Elize Ryd stated that the band wants to bring new energy in people’s lives and they want to make their fans think positive and become fighters. I think that this is what the album managed to accomplish. In my opinion “The Nexus” is actually a sequel of their debut album: they continue what they started back in 2011. Maybe this band looks too extravagant to some people. I can only say this: If you feel too old do not listen to this album! Korina P.
Let’s see if I will be right or wrong! Oh, I totally forgot to mention that this song features an epic guitar solo! “Razorblade” is what we call a pop anthem which also features intense riffing. You can even dance while listening to it! And then, “Future on Hold” follows. What do we have here: Solid rythm section and guitars, double bass drumming, blast beats and of course another small but pleasant guitar Burst { music magazine }