Even before the release of their debut album Where Twilight Dwells in 2005, Midnattsol has had considerable hype, largely because of the lead vocalist Carmen Elise Espanaes.  If the last name sounds familiar, it is because she is the younger sister of ex-Theatre of Tragedy and current Leaves’ Eyes vocalist Liv Kristine.  Having said all that, Carmen has done fairly well; however, the inevitable comparisons to big sister have always seemed to leave hefty expectations for Midnattsol, therefore leaving the albums to fall short of those expectations.

In metal music, it is often the band’s third album where the band will either sink or swim, and that is what Midnattsol is faced with, and with a new album in The Metamorphosis Melody, no expectation is bigger for the band than the one they place on themselves, that is, after they rub a few rabbits’ feet.

Midnattsol’s always had the talent to make it in the metal music scene, and certainly, Carmen Elise can carry a band with her own style of vocals.  Songs such as “A Poet’s Prayer” and the title track are evidence that she can sing, despite lacking the range of big sister.  Musically, Midnattsol hasn’t been too special, but on The Metamorphosis Melody, it seems that they’re developing their own sound, with a slightly more symphonic element to their Gothic/folk metal sound, as noted on “Forlorn.”  The guitars have come a long way from Where Twilight Dwells, with a more noticeable melody in its sound, while the keyboards are playing a larger part in the overall sound, which leaves one to believe that the Gothic metal side of the band is more prevalent, as it always has been since their debut.  A guitar solo even makes an appearance on the album, as there is one in the middle of “Kong Valemons Kamp,” and it doesn’t disrupt the flow of the song, which is actually good.  For all the good on the album, it seems that Midnattsol still hasn’t discovered that one element that can wow the listener.  The entire album is actually solid, but a little long and doesn’t have one true element that stands out.

No matter what Midnattsol does, the comparisons between the Espan?s sisters are always going to be there, whether as vocalists or their respective bands.  Midnattsol isn’t there yet, but on The Metamorphosis Melody, they are making progress.  However, for them to truly move up the ladder, they need to do something that will grab the listener by the jugular and not let go.  They aren’t trying too hard to do it, which is good, but at some point, Midnattsol will need to find that extra gear if they hope to be more than “just another band.”

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Alv
2.  The Metamorphosis Melody
3.  Spellbound
4.  The Tide
5.  A Poet’s Prayer
6.  Forlorn
7.  Kong Valemons Kamp
8.  Goodbye
9.  Forvandlingen
10.  Motets Makt
11.  My Re-creation

Total playing time:  56:19

Release Date: April 22nd, 2011
Label: Napalm Records

Midnattsol - The Metamorphosis Melody

Reviewer: Peter

April 6, 2011