Angel Nation – Antares

Angel Nation
Antares
Inner Wound Recordings
April 8, 2022
Playing time: 40:42

Angel Nation is a Melodic Metal band, founded by the classically trained singer Elina Siirala (Leaves’ Eyes). I have seen the band live once so far, at the Dames of Darkness 2015 in Bilston (UK).  Still under the name EnkElination. Even then I was thrilled by the mixture of classical vocals and hard metal riffs. Apart from the singer, only bassist Julia B Cadau remains from the line-up of the early days. Two albums have been released so far, “Tears Of Lust” (2014) and “Aeon” (2017). Almost five years have passed since then. Now the long-awaited third album “Antares” is finished.

“Seraph” starts spacy. But soon the drums and guitar riffs bang out of the speakers. And then that voice! I fell in love with Elina Siirala’s singing many years ago. The bell-clean soprano never sounds shrill, even on the high notes. And newcomer on guitar George Stergiou can shine right away with a guitar solo. Also, in “We Are Fire” the guitars roar and the drums boom. The band plays at a high speed. Elina surprises with vocals partly in lower pitches. A longing sighing guitar introduces “End Of Innocence”. After a ballad-like start, the song becomes very varied, heavy riffs and beautiful melodies alternate. “Life Is A War” then seems very epic, with tempo and rhythm changes, and always driving double bass. And of course, an excellent guitar solo is also a must here. In “Crucify Me”, which is almost galloping in places, folk elements flow in again and again. The anthemic “Face To Face With The Merciless” is reminiscent of the great stadium rock of the eighties. In keeping with the song title “Where’s The Time”, a ticking noise can be heard at the beginning. “Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind” is a real headbanger. Here the listener can’t sit still (or stand still in a concert). A great strength on Angel Nation’s previous albums were the ballads. And of course, they can’t be missing on the current output. “Way Back Home” is simply outstanding. The singer is mostly accompanied only by strings and piano. Only later are drums and choruses added. Beautiful for sobbing. “Where The Future Lies” is the rocking finale.

Elina Siirala and Angel Nation can also fully convince with their third album. I have already spoken about the vocals. But her comrades-in-arms on the instruments also contribute to the success of “Antares”. While bassist Julia B Cadau and drummer Lucas Williamson provide the rhythmic basis, George Stergiou keeps blasting out his solos. 

Angel Nation – Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind: https://youtu.be/G4EOv-8Jcas

Lineup:

Elina Siirala – Vocals
Julia B Cadau – Bass
Lucas Williamson – Drums
George “GT” Stergiou – Guitar

Track list:

• Seraph
• We Are Fire
• End of Innocence
• Life Is A War
• Crucify Me
• Face to Face With The Merciless
• Where’s The Time
• Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind
• Way Back Home
• Where The Future Lies