Romanian power/symphonic metal band SCARLET AURA are changing up their usual formula with their latest release "Under My Skin" in which they reinterpret some of their classic songs in an acoustic format. Normally of a heavier caliber of music, the band began as a vehicle for guitarist Mihai and vocalist Aura Dănciulescu to pursue their own musical goals after leaving the rock band STILLBORN in 2014. Originally forming under simply the AURA name, they first gained attention after their first album "The Rock Chick" and were invited as the opening act for numerous metal concerts in Romania. They officially switched names in December of 2015 and released their sophomore album "Falling Sky" in 2016 under the new moniker. Not the first time they've done something different with a release, they followed their second album up with tribute CD "Memories" in 2017, reinterpreting several classical rock and metal songs in their own unique style. They then began what they call "The Book of Scarlet" trilogy of albums and accompanying fantasy books with the last album "Genesis of Time" releasing last September of 2021.

Recent events in Russia and Ukraine fueled the recording of "Under My Skin" beginning with SCARLET AURA'S interpretation of Margarita Pushkina and Valery Kipelov's "Ya Svoboden". The band may not have much knowledge of world politics, but say "what we know is that we stand aside every human being that is being as we speak oppressed and taken out of their homes in order to find a safe place." A second single was dropped to coincide with the album release, a track from their 2018 album "Hot 'N' Heavy" titled "Glimpse in the Mirror". The rest of the tracks are re-interpretations of their own songs as well as a few other cover song surprises they originally covered on "Memories" getting both the SCARLET AURA treatment as well as being acoustic. In surprising turn than what bands normally do, they first released physically a double CD digipak on April 22^nd with a full digital release to come later.

As a rule, I tend to give bands that try new and different things an extra measure of respect for going against the grain. SCARLET AURA didn't really need that as most of the 18 tracks on "Under My Skin" were an absolute delight. While the album is "acoustic" there is still a theatrically to the songs. With strings, full drum set, and Aura's powerful voice still present while all guitars are the only thing acoustic, it does some seem to strip away a little of the power, though. That loss of power is felt as quickly as the second track "Frostbite" in which the guitar leads seems so miniscule in their delivery, it was actually the first time I realized this was an all-acoustic album, and the solo in the next track "Let's Go Freakin' Wild" almost made it seem like a country album. Nitpicks aside, I think Mihai did a thankless job of trying to keep the spirit of the original tracks. The covers are nicely sprinkled throughout the album, buoying the latter half. The one disappointment I have is that there is no male to duet with Aura on "Close My Eyes Forever" as that song would really have benefitted from a dichotomy of voices similar to the original.