Finnish symphonic metal band Amberian Dawn is headed for a new era: Not only do they announce their ninth album, Temptation’s Gates, which was released on June 26th 2026 via Napalm Records, but they also introduce a new singer with it.
The new singer on Temptation’s Gates
Swedish-English musician Nicole Willerton is taking over vocal duties from previous frontwoman Capri, who sadly couldn’t continue her work with the band due to scheduling reasons. And with this new release, Amberian Dawn has shaken off their Abba shackles, and with their new singer and generally a new heavier direction, the band blast forth with ten tracks of awesome melodic symphonic metal.
The opening track
The opening title track blasts out of the speakers, a tsunami of guitars and epic synth driven music with gusto, an up-tempo belter if ever there was one. And after recovering from that, next up The Vision of Dreaming slows things down just a tad, but it carries on from the opener, mainly up-tempo and hideously catchy. Indeed, I must say that founding member Tuomas Seppälä (Keyboards, Guitar) sure knows how to write some melodic and catchy belters, as can be found across the album as a whole.
Reaching into an unknown world
To my ears, there are standout tracks galore and Nicole can throw in just the odd scream/growl as well, Unchained being an example. But any growl haters, do not despair, that is just one of a couple of brief examples. The band does slow it down on the awesome Undying Colours, but overall the record is an up-tempo blast. Indeed infusing their epic keyboard sounds with guitar-driven melodic metal, Amberian Dawn reach into a world unknown and prove their versatility, while their catchy anthems remain strong and charming as ever. Well recommended!
Tracklist
- Temptation’s Gates
- The Vision Of Dreaming
- Moon
- Unchained
- Eternal Flame
- Life Is Art
- This Night Is Waiting for Me
- Undying Colours
- The Garden
- Phantasmagoria
Line Up
- Tuomas Seppälä — Keyboards, Guitar
- Nicole Willerton — Vocals
- Emil Pohjalainen — Guitar
- Joonas Pykälä-aho — Drums
- Jukka Hoffren — Bass