SCARLETH
“VORTEX”
Album Review by Iron Mathew

9/10

Scarleth are a melodic/modern metal band from the Ukraine formed in 2005, releasing their debut album ‘Break The Silence’ in 2011. The bands sophomore album ‘The Silver Lining’ was released in 2015, with the bands third album ‘Vortex’, a 2019 release. The band has endured numerous line-up changes throughout the years, with guitarist Viktor Morozov, the only original member remaining.

Scarleth are a heavy hitting mix of rock and metal with strong hints of the progressive and touches of the melodic splattered across the albums eleven songs. ‘Vortex’ gets off to a flyer with the high tempo, highly energetic ‘Feel The Heat’. Hitting hard like a biblical thunderstorm, ‘Feel The Heat’ is intense, yet melodic at the same time. Picking up where the opener left off, ‘No Return’ is heavier and more energetic and will bruise bones with the immense force it unleashes. Just two songs in and Scarleth have delighted with them both – a breath of fresh air to wipe away those cobwebs in an instant. And oh my fucking God, wow! ‘Be What You Are’ lifts the tempo and energy even higher and rocks harder than a little sail boat on stormy seas. The opening triple salvo has been a glorious mix of metal, a blend of both the traditional and progressive styles.

‘Passion’ brings in mild touches of the symphonic, to duel with its progressive tendencies. More hustle and bustle than anything heard so far, ‘Passion’ still manages to trot heavily over anyone that stands in the way. The voice of the bands singer Ekaterina Kapshuk is powerful yet angelic, clean and clear yet raspy – and soulful too, as she demonstrates on ‘No More Letters’. More mid tempo than any other song so far, ‘No More Letters’ swings effortlessly between power ballad, rock ballad, heavy rock and heavy metal. And oh wow, the sudden increase in pace and power is incredible as ‘Guardian Angel’ comes to life and sets off at a blistering pace. Hitting harder than a heavyweight boxing champion, ‘Guardian Angel’ is infectious and catchy in immense proportions. A definite highlight on the album and a favourite song of mine. Leading the way to ballad territory is ‘Escape From Your Embrace’, but after just one minute the heavy guitars kick in and suddenly we find ourselves a million miles away from ballads. ‘Escape From Your Embrace’ is heavy hitting heavy metal with intense death metal growls as backing vocals. So much variety in musical inspiration here, fans from a wide range of genres will find ‘Escape From Your Embrace’ so appealing.

I am presuming that ‘Ostannya Zonya’ is Ukranian, with Ekaterina singing in her native language… Definitely ballad like, her vocal performance spilling over with so much emotion and passion. ‘Ostannya Zonya’ serves as a breather for what is to follow – the electrifying ‘Pain Is My Name’, featuring Rudd Jolie, lead guitarist for Dutch symphonic metal/rock band Within Temptation. ‘Pain Is My Name’ is high on tempo, higher on energy, and positively sizzles its way forward. One of the quickest songs on offer, ‘Pain Is My Name’ loses none of the addictiveness and infectiousness that has been splattered all over the album. Very much a sing a long chorus, ‘Pain Is My Name’ is bound to become a crowd favourite. ‘Final Curtain’ resonates with groove, and a little bit o’ swing too. Heavy hitting and intense, there is also a jazzy feel, giving it so much catchiness it is memorable for all the right reasons. And what a song to close the album – ‘Break The Chains’ is melodic metal at its finest. Delivered at a foot stomping pace, ‘Break The Chains’ is glorious as it gallops on to a finish, bringing the curtain down on a very good album.

Overall, a highly energetic journey of intense yet melodic rock and metal, ‘Vortex’ doesn’t disappoint for a single moment.

TRACKLIST

Feel The Heat
No Return
Be What You Are
Passion
No More Letters
Guardian Angel
Escape From Your Embrace
Ostannya Zorya
Pain Is My Name
Final Curtain
Break The Chains

http://scarleth.com.ua/
https://www.facebook.com/scarlethband/

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