Band: Stream Of Passion
Title: The Flame Within
Label: Napalm Records
Distribution: Hardlife Promotion
Release date: 29/05/2009
Review: CD

Stream Of Passion was originally formed by Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One, …) and released its debut album Embrace The Storm in 2005. Soon the band, with Mexican singer / violin player Marcela Bovio (also in Ion and Elphonia; did guest vocals with e.g. The Gathering), gained positive response from all over the world, kindly supported by a few video clips and singles, as well as the release of a live-DVD, Live In The Real World (2008). A few line-up changes took place, and Stream Of Passion nowadays consists of Marcela, Johan van Stratum (b), Stephan Schultz (g), Eric Hazebroek (g), Davy Mickers (d) and Jeffrey Revet (k). A deal with the Austrian label Napalm Records, sort of specialised in Gothic-oriented Metal, results in the release of the second full length, The Flame Within, which lasts for almost fifty five minutes.
The Flame Within underwent a modest progression in comparison to Embrace The Storm. The basics remain the same: atmospheric and gothic melodies with attention for emotion and (dark) romanticism. But the whole sounds more professional and ‘full’ this time. The music has a symphonic approach, which goes for both heavier and melancholic pieces. The tracks were nicely written, and the members’ performance is minutiously done. The heavier parts interact well with the ballads, and this equilibrium is nice balanced. And I need to mention Marcela’s vocals: not those terrible operatic would-be (soprano) vocals, yet strong and varying ones.
However, one might find it too clean, I guess. At least, I do. The poppy approach of several parts and the over-mixed sound are a pity, and so are some (most) compositions. I’m sure this mainstream album will do just fine within the calmer (female-fronted) Gothic Metal scene, and Marcela’s vocals are certainly worth listening too (once in a while).

74/100

Ivan Tibos.