Highlight Kenosis - Shield of Faith
Highlight Kenosis - CD Review
Shield of Faith
2013
Ravenheart Music
8 Tracks
English Lyrics
Highlight Kenosis is a Bucharest, Romanian progressive metalband that has released two previous albums, Glowing, in 2009, and Change, in 2012, before this latest release Shield of Faith on August 12th, 2013. Brazilian singer Marina La Torraca, formerly of the bands Synnoveriem and Avantgard, became the new lead singer of Highlight Kenosis like a gift during the Christmas of 2012.
Shield of Faith opens with passionate and serious vocals from Marina La Torraca on “Feel Free”, “I’ve been missing a friend just to be close to me”. Her vocals are well supported with the deep keyboards from Marius "Roje" Vârvăroi, bass from Viaceslav “Slava” Svedov, and powerful drums delivered by Florian Mathes. Matei Damian – Ulmu, the band founder, provides power driven lead guitar chords that help convey the message of this great album opener.
This album is a great addition to any progressive metal record collection. The title track, Shield of Faith, is another standout of the album with excellent drumming accentuated by those dramatic keys and La Torraca’s wonderful vocals. The melody of this song will stay with you. The lyrics on this track and the entire album make the journey one of the better ones you will take all year.
“Through Somebody’s Eyes” is another dramatic showcase for La Torraca’s girlish vocal delivery. Her innocent sound is a breath of fresh air in the pantheon of metal female lead singers who try to sing tough. She’s leading this show with her passion and vocal power and as she sings, “Nothing can change all those moments”.
“Fight the Evil” is another album standout and showcase for the lead guitar work of Damian – Ulmu, who at times on this track will remind you of Steve Hackett.
La Torraca’s vocals on “In the Shadow” will bring back memories of Kim Seviour and Touchstone’s soft moments on the album Winter Coast. Vârvăroi’s piano keys are over the top and some of the best on this album.
“To Dare is to Do” is a powerful anthem of defiance. The title would make Yoda smile. La Torraca sings, “I will glow, standing tall. And knowing what’s coming is why I must go on. Though the skies could fall. Still, ‘til it comes, I will wait for dawn”. The keys, bass, drums and power lead guitar are the best on the album. They did save the best for last.
This is an excellent album to introduce the new sound of Highlight Kenosis. They have struck gold with La Torraca, and I can’t wait to hear more from her. The music is so good I may even dig back into the rest of the discography.
Rating: 8 / 10
