It would be easy to dismiss UnSun as just another femme fronted metal band except that the quartet is actually quite good. Mauser is recognized as one of the premier guitar dudes in Europe, with a solid reputation based on a solid portfolio of work. . . and Aya is more than just an eye full. And, consequently, what we have here is some solid metal.

It’s a little difficult to categorize UnSun. Clearly, they fall into the fem fronted genre, they are obviously metal based, the lyrics give them a gothic perspective, but they don’t seem to match any one category perfectly. What they are is a really good band, and what we have here is a really good album. You can spend a lot of time listening and enjoying, and not really knowing exactly what kind of music you’re spending your time with.

There is some keyboard material here, there is a bit of the symphonic on occasion, but what we get, for the most part is the guitar work and the vocals. And, the songs are pure radio pop, but pretty good radio pop. You can listen to this in the car, in the living room or in the concert hall and enjoy it in all three. Of course, in the concert hall you get to watch Aya and that can make the experience significantly more enjoyable. End of Life provides one number after another that catches you with the musical hook and keeps you listening. Aya doesn’t have a voice like Tarja and doesn’t try to go in that direction. She does a strong pop style and knows she has a solid guitar base to work over. The production is first rate, the lyrics interesting and the background music can carry the vocals in the desired direction.

Lyrically, End of Life takes a pop approach to the gothic story line. Whispers, the first cut and one of the most heavily aired, introduces us to this lyrical perspective:

I'll give you all I've got to give

It's never too late to say I'm sorry

We have one life to live,

That'll be the beginning of a great story

You are my sun in the darkness of the night,

You are my ice land on the sea of memories

You are my sun in the darkness of the night

And be my eyes when I lose my sight

Whether you enjoy this verbal direction or not, it is unlikely you won’t appreciate the guitar work of Mauser. When he cranks up the axe, one is inclined to stand to attention and salute the maestro. And he cranks it up with a degree of regularity, and to brutal effect.

The CD has a range of offerings. Not all are as strong as Whispers. Personally, I prefer the harder stuff, although there is something to say for the softer numbers, such as they are. Memories is one of these, Aya is not exactly a crooner but she does a fairly good job on this one. The vocals here take on a cold perspective over the darker guitar lines. Mauser doesn’t rip this one up as much as lay a lament on the listener, designed to augment the dark melodies and the somber tone of the song. Aya sings:

I drown in the oblivion

In the grey ashes of my dream

Never looking back

I don’t hear anymore the bitter words

Every night the nights moaning wakes me up

I hide my face in your hands

Save me please from my fears

Bring Me to Heaven returns the listener to the UnSun motif. We get a piano intro that gives way to blistering guitars with Aya going dark and loud. The vocals are smoky and emotional, Aya in her comfort zone over the metal framework. This is where UnSun shines, this is their battleground. The production is first rate, the musicianship is outstanding, the vocals provide a signature to the entire production. This may be the strongest cut on the CD and is the one many will walk away remembering the longest, all the hooks are there, all the sounds are delivered as designed, everything works.

The following title, On the Edge, brings us back to metal land full tilt. Mauser takes us on a guitar-based ride with his beautiful blond carrying the vocals on a metal journey of unrepentant anger. Mauser has been known for a particular brand of guitar work; the screeching death metal guitar. On this effort, he goes traditional metal and does a first rate job of it. You know a great guitar player when you hear him, and this guy is good. You may miss that component in the videos when your attention goes to the sexy singer, she is hard to ignore, but, when it’s just the music, you know who’s driving things.

UnSun is not traditional symphonic operatic gothic, it is more like traditional fem fronted metal. . . and really good at what it does. You can listen to this material for a long time and it only gets better. In fact, the only way to improve it is to get to watch Aya singing. . . that will really establish your day. But, it’s a great package, either way

9 / 10