Upon Wings – “Afterlife” EP (2013)

Label : Sword of the Spirit LLC

Review by Tony Cannella

“Afterlife” is the debut EP from the Detroit based operatic metal band Upon Wings. The EP features only 4-songs and 15-minutes worth of material but from the very beginning it made a positive impression on me. Musically there is a lot to like about this band, but it was the enthralling vocals of Anne Autumn Erickson along with the thoughtful, introspective lyrics that drew me in.

Anne Autumn Erickson does have an operatic vocal style but it is not over-the-top. She knows exactly when to rein it in and be a little more subdued. Some singers are so enamored with the fact they have this immense vocal ability that sometimes they go a little overboard. Continue reading »

Eidon – “Crystalight” (2012)

Independent Release

Review by Tony Cannella

From France comes the symphonic metal band Eidon. The band formed in 2008 and released their debut EP “Fantasia” in 2010, now they have issued their debut full-length “Crystalight”. Throughout this 14-song, 60-minute opus, Nightwish certainly comes to mind as a possible influence and the songs are filled with bombastic, dramatic and cinematic elements. The orchestral “Intro” builds to a powerful crescendo and segues into the pounding opener “Thunderforce”. “New Dawn” is next and before long settles into a comfortable galloping groove. Lead vocalist Gabrielle Morche has an operatic delivery that fits the music very well. The songs are well crafted and written. Musically the band shift gears from the dramatic and cinematic to straight forward power metal (with some blazing guitar solos) and progressive metal. Continue reading »

Akoma – “The Other Side” EP (2012)

Independent Release

Review by Tony Cannella

From Denmark, the Symphonic/Gothic metal band Akoma formed in 2004. Since their inception, the band released an EP in 2006 (“Angels of Revenge”), followed that up with a demo in 2007 (“Lost Forest”) and then… there was silence, until now. In late 2012 Akoma released a new EP (finally), entitled “The Other Side”. The sweet symphony of the opening tune “Bittersweet Memories” gets things going and this is a beautiful piece of music which segues into a heavier metal riff and crashing drums. Before long the operatic vocal of Tanya Bell join in and helps to transcend this song into a great opener. “Your Sacrifice” is next and has more of a deliberate pacing than the previous song, but it is full of bombastic elements, heart, passion and melody. Next up we have “My Love”, which being a ballad is a change of pace. I really didn’t know if I was a fan of this song or not, but once the track got heavier it won me over. The final three songs “Without You”, “Guardian Angel” and “Immortal Love” brings things to its conclusion and should please fans of the band. “The Other Side” is not the full-length that we had been hoping for from Akoma, but for now, it’ll do just fine. Continue reading »

Anne Autumn Erickson – Upon Wings

Interview by Scott Brady

When I first listened to the “Afterlife” EP from Anne Autumn Erickson and her band Upon Wings my first impressions were this has to come from Europe due to the nature of its sound. However this metal siren and her band are not European whatsoever. Anne Autumn Erickson hails from Detroit Michigan. Many Americans are well aware that Detroit Michigan has fallen on some hard dark economic times in recent years. Anne Autumn Erickson is definitely a light coming from a very dark place and in the years to come will give Detroit Michigan something to be proud of much like Kid Rock and Ted Nugent and Motown have. Kiss even titled a song called “Detroit Rock City” and a young upcoming Female Metal singer has chosen to pick up the rich musical traditions coming from Detroit and carry the flag over into Female Fronted Gothic metal.

US Operatic Metal Band UPON WINGS Reveals “Afterlife” Track Listing & Cover Artwork

UPON WINGS will release its new EP, “Afterlife”, on March 5 via Sword Of The Spirit Records LLC. The CD features guest vocals and production from Brett Hestla (ex-CREED, DARK NEW DAY).

“Afterlife” track listing:

01. Afterlife
02. You Are My Weapon
03. Take Away
04. The Dream (I’m Only Happy When I’m Sleeping) Continue reading »