Venturia - Dawn Of A New Era
CD Info
2012
Lion Music / Finland
8 Tracks
English Lyrics
Progressive metal has a much broader range than fans may expect. Some bands exploit the style’s technical nature, while others take a more subtle approach. Venturia of Montpellier, France falls into both categories, depending on which album you’re talking about. Hybrid, released in 2008, shows Venturia’s quirky side. The fusion of electronic sounds with virtuosic prog metal and a dual-vocal approach is likeable yet a bit disjointed and takes time to appreciate. On the opposite end of the musical-complexity spectrum is Venturia’s latest album, Dawn Of A New Era. It’s a much smoother ride, which is a surprise considering the band has dealt with major lineup changes since Hybrid: a new drummer, an existing band member taking on the male vocal duties, and a shift in vocal emphasis from male to female. No wonder this phase in Venturia’s career is called Dawn Of A New Era – an era that shows real promise.
Dawn Of A New Era presents a shift in Venturia’s sound. The band’s concentrating less on experimentation and more on essentials such as songwriting and melody. This decision has helped Venturia progress – or, rather, leap forward. Dawn Of A New Era surpasses Hybrid in every area, especially in mix clarity, effectiveness of hooks, and overall flow. The guitarwork is also heavier than that on Hybrid, and the new material is more accessible due to the prominent melodies. Lydie Lazulli’s promotion to Venturia’s primary vocalist enhances the latter change. She has a soulful edge that’s reminiscent of Madonna circa early/mid-1990s, as well as the passion and confidence to prove she’s not intimidated by her adjusted role in the band. And even though Dawn Of A New Era is Venturia’s first album to feature the vocals of founder / guitarist Charly Sahona, one could swear Lazulli and Sahona have been singing together for years. They trade off verses smoothly and complement each other when they harmonize. Finding two clean vocalists whose voices sound good together is tricky enough, but Venturia have succeeded here.
As for the songs on Dawn Of A New Era… Well, where to start? They’re all so catchy and groovy that it’s impossible not to like them. Some tracks even sparkle with a radio-friendly sensibility without undermining the music’s muscle. A great example of this is "What If I", the album’s first single. Vocal and keyboard hooks, an earnest performance from Lazulli, and smart songwriting create a sensual, irresistible potential hit. "Devil In Disguise" follows the same formula but with more urgency. Not to mention you’ll love how those siren-like synths corkscrew into your memory. "Secret Dream" and "Spiritual Path" also offer distinct moods and atmospheres while luring in the listener with the band’s newfound strengths.
Venturia do show shades of their more progressive selves on Dawn Of A New Era. "A Land of Dreams" exudes the essence of (what else?) a dream. It revolves between atmospheric, electric, and acoustic, with nuances such as intricate cymbalwork and twinkling keys adding to the surreality. "What We’re Here For," on the other hand, is a musical cross between a rollercoaster and a steamroller. Venturia stuff this intense track with tempo changes, organ shrieks, and Sahona’s breakneak guitar solo to make it even more fun. And when I describe Sahona’s solo as "breakneck," I’m not kidding. The notes sound like those high-pitched, spiraling sound effects in video games – yet they’re not coming from a machine. Sahona’s string-mincing surfaces a few other times on Dawn Of A New Era and serves as a reminder of Venturia’s unconventional roots.
I enjoy Dawn Of A New Era so much that I feel a bit guilty pointing out its shortcomings. But I’m a reviewer, so I must. Firstly, many of the melodies throughout the album sound eerily alike. Even the melodic cadence from one track to another is similar enough that I’ve sometimes caught jumbling up verses or choruses of different songs when I try to remember them. Also, Sahona’s voice takes a little getting used to. It’s unusually high for a man, and has a nasal quality that may turn off some listeners. What Sahona does well, though, is carrying melodies and (as I had mentioned earlier) complementing Lazulli when they sing together. Normally when I think of harmonizing, I think of different vocal pitches balancing out one another. In Venturia’s case, the way in which Lazulli and Sahona liaise in their similar vocal ranges allows their songs to soar. You know a band has created something special when moments like that occur.
And with Dawn Of A New Era, Venturia is indeed onto something special. Their use of male and female vocals, engaging melodies, and musical textures distinguishes the band from other female-fronted metal acts as well as progressive metal bands. And, by streamlining their sound, Venturia haven’t dumbed down their music. In fact, they’ve improved it. Although they’ve made it more difficult to classify their music. Is it still prog metal? Or is it melodic metal, pop-metal, or something else? It shouldn’t matter. Music becomes intriguing when it can’t be pigeonholed, in my opinion. This ability to defy classification while maintaining universal appeal makes Dawn Of A New Era a delicious treat. And you know what else I taste? Venturia’s impending breakthrough.
8.5 / 10
Best Songs: "Devil In Disguise," "What If I," "A Land Of Dreams"
Recommended for fans of melodic progressive metal, or for fans of Within Temptation, Delain, Stream of Passion, and Lacuna Coil
Dawn Of A New Era is out now in Europe via Lion Music. You can purchase it at Lion Music’s webshop, Amazon, and iTunes.
