Carmeria – Tragédie D’amour

Carmeria
Tragédie D’amour
Out: 23. August 2024
Playing time: 41:19

“Carmeria hail from the eerie mists of the Blue Mountains, Australia” – as you can read in the press release. And the band can look back on a long history. Founded in 2012, they have released one EP (“Awakening”, 2013), one album (“Advenae”, 2021) and various singles. The second album “Tragédie D’amour” will follow in August. Guitarist Jerry Zahija and singer Jordan von Grae remain from the early days. However, there have been a few changes in the other positions in the past. The band from Sidney (New South Wales) has dedicated itself to Symphonic and Melodic Power Metal.

“Call Forth My Sorrow” starts with an intro, spherical vocals, later strings. After around thirty seconds, the song kicks into high gear. However, the orchestral accompaniment remains present. Singer Jordan von Grae has a powerful voice and also intersperses growls from time to time. Singer Emma Louise Nagy also seems to be a duet partner here. “A Thousand Winter Rains” has an extremely catchy Rock melody. The vocals are underpinned by riffs. Acoustic guitars can be heard briefly at the beginning of “Thorns”. There is also a catchy chorus. “Leading The Lyre” then tends towards Stadium Rock. Bon Jovi send their regards. “Whispers Of Forgiveness” is a contemplative ballad. The vocals are accompanied by minimal instrumentation, acoustic guitars, strings and piano. In “Shadow’s Throne”, the Symphonic orchestration dominates again. Riffs and drums provide some metallic heaviness in the mid-tempo range. Another Rock anthem with a sing-along chorus follows with “Immortal”. Another contemplative ballad has made it onto the album. Emma Louise Nagy takes over the lead vocals on “Burning Ships”. Great voice.  Too bad, I would have liked to hear her like this more often. She’s probably also responsible for the acoustic guitar. “The Hoping Heart” is the next mid-tempo anthem. Accompanied by some orchestral bombast. This is contrasted by occasional growls. The final song “A Vision In Passing” is again characterised by electric piano and synth strings. The third ballad is a beautiful power ballad.

In the eighties, this sound was known as Stadium Rock. Carmeria enrich it with lots of orchestral background music. The retro sound is powerfully produced. There are also three wonderful ballads, each of which offers musical variety in its own right. A more than successful second album. One small drawback, the enchanting voice of Emma Louise Nagy is unfortunately too rarely in the foreground.

Lineup:

Jordan von Grae – Vocals, Principal Lyricist & Songwriter, Producer
Jerry Zahija – Guitars
Mishka Bobrov – Keys, Additional Backing Vocals
Emma Louise Nagy – Bass, Secondary Vocals, Acoustic Guitars
Lachlan Blackwood – Drums, Producer

Track list:

• Call Forth My Sorrow
• A Thousand Winter Rains
• Thorns
• Leading the Lyre
• Whispers of Forgiveness
• Shadow’s Throne
• Immortal
• Burning Ships
• The Hoping Heart
• A Vision In Passing