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Review: Serenity - Words Untold & Dreams Unlived
Serenity
www.serenity-band.com
Words Untold & Dreams Unlived

Label: Napalm Records
Year released: 2007
Duration: 47:30
Tracks: 10
Genre: Progressive Power Metal

Rating:
4/5


Review online: January 19, 2008
Reviewed by: Bruce Dragonchaser
Readers' Rating
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Rated 4/5 (80%) (13 Votes)
Review

This young Austrian quintet has been making quite a splash in the underground. So resounding the waves, that the mighty Kamelot have drafted them up for a string of live dates and even the venerable ProgPower UK organizers have added them to this year's festivities. Quite simply, it was a grand choice, because if there was one new band able enough to join the annals of greats such as Vanden Plas, Threshold and the aforementioned Kamelot, than it would be this lot. Fans of hyper-melodic, progressively tinged Power Metal would be doing themselves a disservice missing this one; probably the best debut of 2007, "Words Untold & Dreams Unlived" is crisp, smart, sophisticated, and above all else, bloody enjoyable, without a second lost between each and every endeavor.

Serenity's sound lies primarily in the Kamelot mould of complex verse arrangements, pulsating intro riffs, and big, shiny choruses, with an oddball middle section chock full of subtle orchestration and flashy lead playing. "Engraved Within" and "Thriven" are probably the best example of this style of composition, both giving way to monstrous melodies and challenging instrumentation, but they are far from the best tracks on the album. For a start, tumultuous opener "Canopus 3" owes its life to "Hypothetical" -era Threshold, particularly in the drum work. In fact, the sound and feel of the production is very reminiscent of the British proggers, and the tight, calculated performance of the individual members can be compared to them also. The subtle nuance of the keys really brings the darker tones of the album into light, adding the Power Metal element to some of the more intricate guitar playing. "Reduced to Nothingness" sums up the band perfectly: short, catchy, potent Power Metal of the highest order, with very little room for improvement. "Words Untold & Dreams Unlived" is a great start for Serenity, and while it may not be original or innovating, the quality of this band outweighs the need to experiment beyond personal limitations.

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