Band: Sirenia
Title: The Enigma Of Life
Label: Nuclear Blast
Distribution: PIAS
Release date: January 21st 2011
Review: CD

Morten Veland started this band, Sirenia, after he left Tristania in 2001. Throughout the years, Sirenia released four full lengths, often compared to Tristania (at least in the beginning), but they continuously evolved into an own sound. This fifth album has been recorded at the famous Sound Suite Studio again, engineered and produced by Morten himself, together with beautiful vocalist Aylin, the new singer since Monika Pedersen left to concentrate on Sinphonia. And again it is another step (forward?).
The early years were limitedly ‘heavy’, in a way possibly labelled as (blackened) Gothic Metal the Norwegian way (cf. Tristania, Dismal Euphony, Theatre Of Tragedy, Trail Of Tears, The Sins Of Thy Beloved etc). This, however, evolved into an approach that is more comparable to the Belgian and, especially, the Dutch scene, the so-called ‘female fronted’ one. Yes, Norway still is ‘present’ – think Angel, Imperia, Myriads etc., but this softer, more poppy and catchy approach estranged from the original sound. This material is less obscure yet more romanticised, neo-symphonic and operatic. Yes, Therion, Lacrimosa and Nightwish too could have been of influence this time.
The electronised sound (cf. Sound Suite, of course) isn’t that unusual either for this specific kind of symphonic Rock / Metal. It does give the whole a modern vista, and a radio-hit potential one as well. Yes, it will certainly satisfy a wide audience, but some will detest it as well for being too commercial, too sweet and bonny. And in spite of some nicely written and performed pieces, I follow the second direction, for The Enigma Of Life indeed being too un-challenging.

70/100

Ivan Tibos.