MEDEN AGAN hailing from Athens, Greece were formed in 2005. They play a mixture of several genres, among them symphonic and melodic Metal, and the new album is their fifth full-length album. “My Name Is Katherine” is a concept album based on the novel of vocalist Dimitra Panariti. The album was mixed by Terry Nikas at Zerogravity Studios, mastered by Jens Bogren (AMON AMARTH; ARCH ENEMY; AT THE GATES) at Fascination Street Studios. It has a length of more than 48 minutes, and it was released via Romanian Power, Thrash, and Heavy Metal specialists Sleaszy Rider Records.

The album has a bit of an unusual start. Unlike classical symphonic Metal albums, “Moth” starts with direct and aggressive guitar riffing at a fast pace with many Grooves in it. The female vocals are a mixture of everything ranging from clean melodic Metal vocals around the medium end of the vocal range towards almost harsh, higher pitched vocals. The track is enhanced with a few orchestral arrangements, but only to intensify certain parts of the track. “Moth” has several sound elements in it and the classical Heavy Metal vibes stick in my mind. “Time Like Space” starts with a short keyboard arrangement, transitioning into a mid-tempo track with dynamic verse parts driven by the powerful riffing and a lot of double-bass drumming. The chorus melodies are catchy with almost anthemic chorus lines. The vocals are clean and in between the medium to higher end of the vocal range with many tonal shifts towards higher pitched notes. The vocal vibes are very different compared to the opening track as they lean more towards melodic Metal. The break includes an extended lead guitar solo, which is the highlight of the track. “Trapped” starts with a short intro leading into the main melody of the track. The melodic framework is dark, and the riffing is powerful at mid-tempo. The vocals utilize many deeper notes with shifts towards higher notes. “Trapped” uses again elements from different genres and Power Metal inspirations are clearly evident here, culminating in a cool lead guitar solo.

“Shedding” is a mid-tempo track with thunderous riffing and many traditional Heavy Metal vibes. Dimitra Panariti covers most of the vocal range from deeper notes predominantly during the verse parts to higher notes during the chorus parts up to occasional higher pitched screams. Another excellent lead guitar solo contributes to the track very well. “Shedding” reminds me on JUDAS PRIEST at times in particular during the verse parts. “Rejection” starts with a keyboard intro leading into a powerful and epic track at mid-tempo. The verse parts of the track are first driven by the keyboards and the vocals, but it does not take long until thunderous guitar riffs join in. It is a classical build-up of the verse parts, leading into chorus parts with catchy melodies. The keyboards are more prominent during the whole song. One highlight is once again the contributing lead guitar solo, but the other one is the very versatile vocal contribution of Dimitra Panariti. “Rejection” is the official video release, and the YouTube link is provided below. “Confident” starts with punishing riffs and crushing basslines at mid-tempo. The track is a superheavy headbanger during the verse parts. The bridge leading to the chorus includes also a few highly pitched operatic vocal notes. The chorus parts have catchiness in the melodies with anthemic vocal lines. The break is two-parted and a great collaboration of the keyboards and lead guitars where everyone got the opportunity to shine. Highlight is again the vocal contribution of Dimitra Panariti as she offers everything ranging from operatic notes to harsh screams. “Confident” is one of the best album tracks.

After a short keyboard driven intro, “Sickness” is a track at a measured tempo with devastating riffs for the verse parts and harsh vocals, transitioning into epic chorus parts with a trace of melancholy in the melodies. Leaving the verse parts aside, it is the track with most ballad-esque features. “Victorious” starts with a short, tension-building intro, transitioning into a fast track with crushing verse parts and more melodic chorus parts. While the verse parts are driven by punishing riffs accompanied by the double-bass drumming and the oriental vibes in the melodies, the chorus parts are those with the catchy melodies. The extended lead guitar solo is second-to-none, and the vocal contribution of Dimitra Panariti is simply excellent and breathtaking. “Beyond Any Suspicion” is a bit of a change in sound, away from the powerful, at times crushing sound, towards a nice, mid-tempo melodic song with catchy melodies and almost sing-along chorus lines. The album closes with “Transition”, which is a mixture of mid-tempo up-tempo track. The keyboards drive the melodies of the verse parts alongside the tight guitar riffs and the double-bass drumming. The vocals use mainly deeper notes during the verse parts and higher notes during the bridge and the chorus parts with some harsh notes during the bridges. The break is once again two-parted with the keyboard and the lead guitar solo. All in all, it is a good end to the album.

MEDEN AGAN deliver an exciting multi-layered melodic Metal album. Beside the fact, that “My Name Is Katherine” is a novel-based concept album, MEDEN AGAN create a Metal sound that is inspired by many genres like symphonic and melodic Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, and melodic Death Metal. A good songwriting and a very versatile vocalist ensure that this mixture fits very well together. The album is well produced. “My Name Is Katherine” does not fit into a box and this is perhaps its biggest strength. Metal fans who are open to listen to multiple genres will surely enjoy what they hear.