Finland's
House of Mirrors have managed to pop up with quite the surprise here in the form of
"Desolation". Their previous cd was a trifle mediocre despite being likened to big
AOR bands like
Treat and Europe. Perhaps it was just too familiar and fell into monotony, but whatever the case, the band that was poised to be the next big Scandanavian melodic act has changed their tune from "Nightflight to Paradise". They are harder edged and more open to experimentation. In fact, many subgenres of metallic rock are fooled around with here and almost everything flirted with comes out a big success.
Pekka Rautiainen will never go down in the hall of fame for best vocalists, but he does have a pleasant set of pipes. Especially when he does not push the boundaries of that higher range. He just breaks when that happens, revealing his weaker spots. Guitarist Jaakko Niitema churns out some tasty riffs too. His solos are tasteful and always have a few inviting spots that lets his string bending stand out like snow in summer.
It really seems like their specialty is sticking with variation. Highlights include
"Gone With the Summer" which is one of my favorite songs from 2006 thus far. So laid back and relaxed, with this softly cooing guitar in the background that cries out in little bursts like whales cresting on the ocean. Then this soothing yet more uptempo rhythm kicks in to carry out the chorus. Very much a pop influenced
AOR track that seems almost like Finland's version of Westcoast music.
"These Chains" makes ingenius use of the acoustic/guitar switch off. A bit of lulling lacey sounding strings gives way for some seriously crunchy electric that bursts open like a metallic flower with razor blade petals. There is an aura of
Talisman that surrounds the song but it manages to find its own niche.
On the flip side there are the songs that kick the album off such as the double drum power metal banger
"Broken Soul". Transforming into a heavier groove sets off vibes of
Black Sabbath or
Iron Maiden while the rest chugs along like a typical speedy track. It doesn't really catch on and stays rather mundane and like a second rate imitation of the real deal. The lighter but still heavy rock of
"Fallen Leaf", with its multiple time changes and progressive metal inclinations works alot better and is a breath of weighty air. These are nothing at all like the first two songs described are they?
"Waiting in the Wings" is another turn on a dime that takes the road paved by "Nightflight" and scrubs it to a bright, professional shine.
"On the Red Line" kicks it 70s style and has a distinct
Deep Purple flavor.
"Sparks Will Fly" takes it back to big, bold Scandi tasting
AOR but with heavier guitars.
"Heart to Heart" brings on more
AOR goodness in the form of a power ballad that has all the prerequisites for its type. There's the mood altering piano and the build up to the over emotive chorus. And yes, it is performed and played out nicely.
House of Mirrors has a few duds in the mix, yet the majority of the album covers a wide range of styles and still sounds cohesive without becoming a jumbled, over ambitious mess. The track arrangement has been selected in such a manner to keep the disc flowing without too many jarring instances, keeping the harder material corralled at the front and then fading into more melodic pieces that are easier on the ears.
This is one band that music watchers should keep their eyes on, because there is so much promise here, but plenty of good material to keep you entertained in the meantime. In two short years since "Nightflight" they have come a long way, and by album three,
House of Mirrors might just have something extraordinary on their hands. Til then this is a nifty, diversified album that will surely keep you entertained.
Written by
Alanna Wednesday, June 21, 2006
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