Discover something really extraordinary - a modern treasure.
Cap. M | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 11/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sanvoisen - Exotic WaysHi ! If you read this and consider yourself to be a fan of melodic metal - please lend this album your attention !
This is meant as a guiding hint to other listeners of melodic , warm metal. I myself am a great fan of power,speed,classic and gothic-metal and regarding this album I must state ; IT IS THE MOST UNDERESTIMATED album I've ever heard !!! I really am aversive to superlative phrasing - but in this case it is 100 % justified. When realizing how few people know of this band I once again must state that the term " reputation " carries a dubious meaning within the music market. How is it that this atmospheric metal marvel does not get any attention , when seemingly every second moron with a e-guitar is allowed
record contracts / on-air time ? I cannot for my life believe how it is possible , there are tons of doubtful metal sh-t in the music industry that get undeserved notice in the metal press/community - but only very few people seem to have heard of " Exotic Ways "......
I got hold of this treasure through a "lucky mistake" when trading discs with a kid on a CD-market. I accepted to
take this CD as I saw that it was released by the legendary Noise-label - a company that has the highest quality level of their signed metal artists. When I later listened to the album I almost fell off my chair.Incredible melodic structures - yet more complex and experimental ( and softer ) than your average straight ahead power-metal, lots of time changes and still a solid strong base structure througout all the 12 songs.
Totally harmonic twin guitars and fast precise drumming with good double-bass passages. There is plenty of talent behind the singing by lead vocalist V. Maranis . He has a high range and can sing very harmonic and controlled even at highest pitch - without sounding anything but perfect. I do not want to compare him to Bruce Dickinson or Michael Kiske - but it is safe to say that he belongs to the top ten vocalists in this genre. The whole album is embossed by warmth and smooth atmosfere - but it still is metal ! In the lyrical deparment Sanvoisen emphasize on emotional states and this is the first time I heard really good metal that is not affected negatively by that circumstance.They create a clean and enjoyable atmospfere, without sounding clichee or cheap. The songs are coloured by warmth and kindness ( I hope that makes sense.... ) sometimes with a tiny, little gloomy undertone that usually developes into a more joyful and optimistic continuation. One good example of this is the incredible " What I mean ". It is hard to describe but I've never heard anything this good when it comes to melodic metal before. Sanvoisen manages to pull this stunt without crossing the territory of hardrock , the still stay within the genre. What makes my knees weak about E.W is the paradoxic feel about the songs ; the melodies are very connected and the structure is not discontinous , but still there are fresh and unexpected timechanges and guitarpassages that lend the songs a feeling of complexity. Little dots of progressive style is appearent without making it unmelodic or overly experimental. There is always a fine " flow " on the whole CD. Some of the songs are contain more than one lead melody. I have listened to Exotic Ways for while now and I still discover new elements in the songs whenever I hear it. I do not seem to get fed up with this incredible disc. My favourite nugget on the album is " What I mean " - , but all the songs are excellent. There is really no point in counting them one by one - it would be a tiring catalog of superlatives. Take my honest word for it - Exotic Ways is something quite out of the ordinary.Another thing that stands out is the production ( Luke Herzog ) . Every single participating instrument and sound is arranged in crystal clear fashion , no muddy mixes is camouflaging drums or bass - everything is crisp and sharp ! All songs are top of the line and if you have even the remotest interest in metal in general or melodic metal i particular - there is no way around this album - no joke. This is the best bargain I ever made in music and without leading someone astray I can wholeheartedly recommend the purchase of " Exotic Ways ".
Do not refrain from this CD only because it may be difficult to find. I was lucky enough to get it by " accident " - but in the afterlight ; I would do anything to get hold of music with this impressive spirit and atmospfere ! All components in this produciton are the best in their kind , no risk that you take a disliking against vocals,guitars or lyrics - really everthing is great. After you bought this masterpiece you will also consider it a enormous mystery , why no one claims to know of these extraodrinary artists.....Enjoy ! I Really hope You allow Yourself the chance to discover " Exotic Ways ". (...)"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1