Deep Sun – Storyteller

Deep Sun
Storyteller
Label: POWER BLAST Records
Out: May 15^th, 2025
Playing time: 43:38

With their fifth studio album Storyteller, Deep Sun open a new chapter – powerful, vivid, and emotionally charged.

That’s what you can read in the press release for the Swiss band’s new album. Although, by my count, it’s probably only the fourth album. According to the playing time, ‘Flight of the Phoenix’ was more of an EP. New addition Erik Dummermuth is said to be responsible for this. And that’s about it for line-up changes. And when you have a singer as gifted as Debora Lavagnolo in your ranks, there’s hardly anything that can go wrong. I could already notice a clear upward trend with the previous album ‘Dreamland – Behind The Shades’. Let’s see if Deep Sun can continue this positive development.

The album starts with the title track ‘Storyteller’. A symphonic introduction that is underpinned by hard drumming almost from the start. Then the enchanting voice of Debora Lavagnolo rings out. And you immediately understand why she is also described as the ‘Tarja Turunen of Switzerland’. Memories of the early Nightwish come to mind. The following song has the somewhat unwieldy title ‘Tales That Should Have Never Been Told’. Once again, the drums are booming, while the guitar is discreet at first. Once again, Debora’s crystal-clear soprano takes centre stage. And newcomer Erik Dummermuth shows off his skills with a solo, as already in the previous song. On ‘United Force’, Debora sings a duet with Michele Guaitoli (Visions of Atlantis, Temperance). The song starts off a little quieter. Debora soars into the high pitch ranges. And Michele’s voice goes very well with her soprano. In ‘Worlds Collide’, a piano can be heard first before synth strings, drums and guitar riffs kick in. Of course, a ballad is a musthave on a Symphonic Metal album. In ‘Ballad Of Tragedy’, the electric piano can be heard again first. Nightingale Debora sometimes sings in the highest notes. The rhythm, tempo and melody changes are pleasant to listen to. You never get bored listening to this track. ‘Fierce’ is much harder again. In addition to the symphonic bombast, powerful guitar riffs can be heard again and again. The vocal melody of the refrain reminds me again of early Nightwish. And again, a guitar solo is the icing on the cake. ‘The Window’ turns up the heaviness even further. And it’s also much faster. The mid-tempo range is occasionally abandoned. The refrain is catchy and invites you to sing along. This is followed by a song that is now more than ten years old. ‘Flight Of The Phoenix’ was the first EP that Deep Sun released in February 2014. At the time, it was a hard Metal song without too much epic bombast. The differences between the two versions are clearly audible. The current version is much more epic with a lot of symphonic additions. Deborah’s voice has also developed considerably. Her soprano now sounds a little smoother, but also more voluminous and more nuanced. ‘Wasteland’ is another typical Symphonic Metal song. A great Metal anthem. ‘The Last Stand’ starts with deep synths and some sound gimmicks. A large orchestra can be heard. Another catchy refrain to sing along to. This song ends the album with electric piano sounds.

On ‘Storyteller’, the Swiss show a clear further development. The album is even stronger than its predecessor. Of course, everything is centred on Debora Lavagnolo’s soprano. Did I make the comparison with Tarja Turunen earlier? Actually, that doesn’t do her justice. Nothing against Tarja, but in my opinion Deborah is clearly the better singer. I also made the comparison with Nightwish (from the Tarja era) from time to time. OK, Nightwish were a bit heavier back then than Deep Sun are today. Nevertheless, the Swiss fill the gap that the Finns’ change in sound has opened up. And with their very own style.

Deep Sun – Storyteller: https://youtu.be/uM1K0IvXGIw?si=_tHJ4jvGcVNftbeN

Lineup:

Debora Lavagnolo – Vocals
Thomas Hiebaum – Keyboard
Angelo Salerno – Bass
Tobias Brutschi – Drums
Erik Dummermuth – Guitar]

Track list:

• Storyteller
• Tales That Should Have Never Been Told
• United Force (feat. Michele Guaitoli)
• Worlds Collide
• Ballad Of Tragedy
• Fierce
• The Window
• Flight Of The Phoenix (2025)
• Wasteland
• The Last Stand