Samandriel – “Awakening” EP (2010)
Independent Release
Review by Tony Cannella
From Edmonton, Alberta, Canada comes Symphonic Metal Band Samandriel. This group of Canadians has just issued their independently released debut EP, titled “Awakening”. Samandriel is fronted by the operatic lead vocals of Doneka Reid and “Awakening” is sure to please fans who hungry for melodic and symphonic music with strong arrangements and a great melodic atmosphere. From the very outset of “Awakening”, Samandriel wastes little time in introducing themselves to the metal populace. “Holy Load” is a strong opener that immediately showcases the fine talents of vocalist Doneka Reid and the stellar musicianship of the band. One of the things that I really liked about “Awakening” is that Samandriel shifts effortlessly between the symphonic to progressively influenced music. Bassist Ryan Hopper provides some grunt vocals but they are well done and they don’t overwhelm anything. “Awakening” is a pretty consistent release, as the songs “Trial by Terror”, “Initial Reality”, “The Mighty Seabeast” and “Demise of the Icewitch” will attest to. The closing track “Harmonious Madness” is hands down my favorite and a great way to bring this debut to its conclusion. Throughout the 27-minutes contained on “Awakening”, Samandriel offers the listener a great first impression and if this is what to expect in the future, than the prospect looks bright for this ultra-talented Canadian band.
Rating – 90/100
Tracklist
- Holy Load
- Trial by Terror
- Initial Reality
- The Mighty Seabeast
- Demise of the Icewitch
- Harmonious Madness
Line Up
- Doneka Reid – Vocals
- Oskar Jankovic – Guitars
- Jeff Black – Keyboards
- Ryan Hopper – Bass, Growls
- Jeff Church – Drums
Links
Leave a comment
Style switcher only on this demo version. Theme styles can be changed from Options page.
SOCIAL STUFF
Recent Posts
- Chaostar – “Anomima” (2013)
- Helalyn Flowers – “White Me In Black Me Out” (2013)
- My Ruin – “The Sacred Mood” (2013)
- Belladonna – “Shooting Dice With God” (2013)
- Visions of Atlantis – “Ethera” (2013)
- Upon Wings – “Afterlife” EP (2013)
- Maxine Petrucci – “Back to the Garden” (2013)
- Masterforce – “Until the End of Time” DEMO (2011)
- COURAGE MY LOVE return with “Becoming” EP
- Maledia – “Your Angels Cry” EP (2012)
- Lumus – “Bacchus’ Curse” (2012)
- Lightless Moor – “The Poem – Crying My Grief to A Feeble Dawn” (2013)
- Hurtful Witch – “Spectra” (2013) [DEMO] [REISSUE]
- Ivalys – “Lumen” (2013)
- Hydrogyn – “Private Sessions” (2012)
- Heart Shaped Rock – “Brought it On” SINGLE (2012)
- Igorrr – “Hallelujah” (2012)
- North Diamond – “По Ту Сторону Бытия” ["On the Other Side of Being" - "Po Tu Storonu Biytiya"] (2012)
- Kvitrafn (Einar Selvik) – Wardruna
- THE EDGE OF PARADISE @ The Mix, Seattle, WASHINGTON, USA – 27/04/2013
- Jessie Ware – “Devotion” [The Gold Edition] (2013)
- Hugo Flores & Jessica Lehto – Factory of Dreams
- Carter Tutti Void – “Transverse” (2012)
- Jennifer Borg – Divine Ascension
- Black Sun Aeon – “Blacklight Deliverance” (2011)
- Black Heaven – “Dystopia” (2011)
- Fourever – “Solitarium” (2012)
- Embassy of Silence – “Antler Velvet” (2013)
- Shiori Vitus – Eleanor
- KARMIC LINK announces new line up addition and album updates