Search - Imperial :: Queen of Light

A Must-Have Symphonic-Metal Album

Broken_Harlequin | Australia | 10/23/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My music libray has been steadily growing for several years, and now consists of what I like to think is a very impressive collection of gothic, symphonic, doom, folk metal, etc., etc. Everything in the 'goth' genre (using the term loosely, of course).

I picked up 'Queen of Light' by Imperia a few months ago, and I'm certainly happy that I did. It really is quite a stunning album, featuring the extraordinarily versatile vocals of Helena Michaelson (Ex- Trail of Tears). It quickly found a place in my top 50.

Imperia have a very well-defined sound, not as bombastic as Nightwish or Epica, but very well structured. Helena's dilivery switches between a powerful, more conventional-sounding 'rock' voice, to stunning operatic tones. No two of the songs here sound the same, and I do not beleive that there is a weak track present. I would have to say, however, that the stand out songs for me are: 'Raped by the Devil', 'Broken Wings','Braveheart', 'Norway' & 'The Calling.'

Even though my review only says 4/5 stars, I'd really give this about 4.5/5 (I save my five-stars only for masterpeices like Draconian's 'Arcane Rain Fell', and Theatre of Tragedy's 'Aegis')

That said, I would certainly recommend Imperia to anyone with a taste for this kind of music. They have a sound that it entirely their own, whilst still adhering to everything that we know and love about symphonic metal.



I'm curious that one reviewer said they sounded too 'commercial'... I don't really think so; I think they've got a very well-balanced sound. While I do prefer real gothic-metal, I don't mind the so-called commercial-sounding bands (I also listen to Evanescence after all); I think there's just too much stigma about all that. Good music is good music. And Imperia are fantastic - pick up this album today, you won't regret it!

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