SIRENIA

The 13th Floor

Nuclear Blast/ CD 2009

Norwegian SIRENIA has been around since 2001. They've released a few albums and established themselves as one of the most popular groups on gothic metal scene. Their first two albums were released through Napalm Records. Since 2007 they have been working for one of the biggest metal labels, namely Nuclear Blast. To me this band has always been the icon of mediocrity commonly described as „female fronted gothic metal” so I can't stop wondering- how the hell did they get that job?!

The fourth full length effort of SIRENIA will be released on January 23. It's called „The 13th Floor” and features nine brand new songs. This is also the first album of SIRENIA recorded with a new female vocalist Ailyn. Actually, I have never heard about her before, so this album was my first opportunity to listen to her parts. What can I say? I think she is really beautiful but her voice and manner of singing don't bring anything really new to the table. Vocal parts on „The 13th Floor” are just OK, but nothing at all special, unique, outstanding, whatever...

On band's official website the new effort is described as something that takes the band back in time as well as forth. They also claim that they tried to combine everything what the band did throughout SIRENIA's career and blended it into one massive album. According to the official album announcement, "it features loads of power combined with melodic aspects, with all the variation and diversity that has always been the main key in SIRENIA's sound and expression". I can agree to some points of the above- mentioned definition. The album features everything what SIRENIA has been known for to date. You cannot find there anything really new, surprising or shocking. There is a couple of songs in the vein of their first two albums as well as some little more sophisticated tracks that make me think about „Nine Destinies and a Downfall”. „The 13th Floor” is full of idyllic gothic atmosphere blended in a very appropriate way with sophisticated classic arrangements, orchestrations, epic choir parts and so on. In most of the songs featured on this CD powerful guitar attacks are preceded by some soft, melancholic soundscapes over and over again. That little scheme makes the record predictable in at least 99%. Listening to it I get the feeling that SIRENIA's main goal was to create an album that would satisfy their old fans and I think the band succeeded in that. On the other hand, I would love to listen to some of Morten Veland's new ideas, see him focused on building just good, memorable songs' structures. After a decade of following the same overproduced arrangements, tempo changes and melody lines, even his die-hard fans might feel a bit burned out. I think it's a good time to get some of their enthusiasm back and make a step forward, so wake up Mr. Veland!

What kind of end to this review would satisfy you? I couldn't say I've lost my faith in SIRENIA since I've never believed that the promised messiah would be a man with long blond hair. I wouldn't describe this album as a piece of shit. At the same time I'm fully aware that being tolerant of such mediocre recordings is a good way to value mediocrity. Listen to the album and decide for yourself .

6/12