Arven - Black is the Colour
Arven – CD Review
Black is the Colour 
CD Info
2013
Massacre Records
12 Tracks
English Lyrics
Arven is a Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany symphonic metal band that delivered its sophomore full–length album Black is the Colour on Massacre Records, on August 23, 2013. The band is made up of mostly female members including: Lisa Geiß, on bass; Anastasia Schmidt and Ines Thomé on guitars; Lena Yatsula, on keyboards; Carina Hanselmann, on lead vocals; and Till Felden, on drums.
Black is the Colour follows Music of Light, which was released in 2011 and a self–titled demo record, which was released in 2008. On this album, Benjamin Reiter – guest vocals on the closing track “Ride On”. The excellent cover art work was created by Jan "Örkki" Yrlund.
The galloping lead electric guitars and pounding drums on the opener “Believe” gets this album off to a fast and powerful start. Carina Hanselmann’s lead vocals join in soon after the opening salute to help drive the soundscape even higher. This is one of the best tracks on the album and it gets Black is the Colour off to a flashy start.
“Don’t Look Back” continues the powerful pace of the drums, lead electric guitars, bass, and keyboard onslaught. Hanselmann’s lead vocals are high pitched yet, warm and soft. She does an excellent job of providing both emotion and excitement. She rises as the tempo and power of the orchestration and choir – like support builds. Another of the best tracks on this album.
“Rainsong” has familiar lyrics and sounds like something I have heard before, but I cannot place the song. Hanselmann’s lead vocals are perfectly surrounded by soft but brilliant keys as the drums and lead electric guitar rings true. Her voice is strong enough however, to shine through.
“The One for Me” is full of excellent piano at the opening before blasting and rocking synth keyboards take over amidst rocking drum and power electric guitar chords. This track has a great male/female duet vocal and melody which again makes it another record highlight. But it is those keys that truly take this one over the top.
“All I Got” is a wonderful piano and Hanselmann’s vocals showcase, complete with soft strings in the background.
“Cercle D Emeraude is full of violin and Highland melodies amidst the roaring guitars, bass, and thundering drums.
“In Your Dreams” is a soft ballad set to acoustic guitar.
“Fireside Stories” took me right back to the spirit, power, and imagery of Xandria’s pirate epic, “Cursed”.
Arven does an excellent job of combining soft magical moments with powerful guitar riff and drum assaults, and they do it all with excellent keyboard support. Just like all of my favorites in the genre. Definitely add Arven to my “watch list”.
Every song on this disc is winner. There are no bad tracks at all…and thankfully no male growling. One of the best albums of female symphonic metal this year. Right up there with Edenbridge’s The Bonding and Tarja’s latest solo album in my favorites of the year. Reiter singing guest vocal in unison with Hanselmann on the closing track “Ride On” is worth the price of admission alone.
This band understands what few in the genre do, that when you mix classic male and female vocals in duets set to classic symphonic prog metal you can create stories and emotions that growling and yelling just cannot begin to match. If you are a fan, get this album. If not get this and listen to what you have been missing.
Rating: 9 / 10
