Band: One Without
Title: Sweet Relief
Label: none
Distribution: x
Release date: April 29th 2011
Review: CD

Another so-called female fronted band, this time from Sweden.
I reviewed this band’s debut, Thoughts Of A Secluded Mind, almost two years ago (review posted on August 31st 2009), and even though it did have several heights, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about the predictable and much too poppy approach of Gothic / Heavy Metal / Rock. The band gained certain popularity into their specific scene, and they were able to perform on different interesting festivals, or just live on stage in support of acts like Evergrey, Paradise Lost, Doro, Soulfly, Katatonia or Epica.
(un) fortunately this sophomore album is even less interesting, except for those who did really like the debut. Maybe you heard the single Pretender, released worldwide at very early spring. If not, don’t worry, because 1) you don’t miss much, and 2) this track is included on the full length edition which I’m (obliged to) listening at right now.
I won’t, and can’t, say much wrong about the female vocals, for these vocal chords being extremely and exceptionally strong. No operatic or harmonious sadness or emotionality, yet warm, powerful and correctly sung voices that erotise your ear drums. (un) fortunately this might be the only really positive element this time, I guess.
Musically and lyrically Sweet Relief hangs in where Thoughts … left, with two important differences: 1) the overall approach is much more ‘Metal’ instead of ‘Rock’ this time, and 2) the songs are even more easied-up. Some riffs sound infantile, the electronics are way too poppy, the screaming grunt is just pathetically stupid, the melodies are oh so overdone, no, Sweet Relief is not my cup of black tea. I don’t need any sugar to sweeten my metallic needs, I don’t need any low-fat milk substance to make it taste fully creamy.
Even that sound: too clean, over-polished, with an extremely predictable use of emotions and feelings translated in an audible context; a virgin-safe production indeed…
Overall, Sweet Relief is a nice rocker with catchy tracks and I’m sure there will be a (young) audience that will appreciate this modern and atmospheric effort. If you like it the less polished way: skip it!
Total running time: sixty five minutes (seventeen songs).

60/100

Ivan Tibos.