AMARANTHE have proven in a relatively short time, that they are quite possibly one of the best and most unique bands in the world, and now with their 4^th studio album "Maximalism", they have released their best work to date. With the last album, "Massive Addictive" still being great but not quite living up to the first two, thanks in part to Jake E being pushed in to the background a little with Elize Ryd becoming more prominent (nothing against her at all, as she is absolutely incredible!), it seems that they have learned from this and made everything right again. Jake E, Elize Ryd, and Henrik Wilhemsson, share the vocal duties far more evenly and in the harmonies Jake hasn't been drowned out as much as he previously was. It's great to see him getting what he deserves, and AMARANTHE re-establishing themselves as a three vocalist band rather than a female fronted group like so many now are. Not that this is usually an issue, with bands like EPICA and NIGHTWISH being extremely good female fronted bands with other backups from time to time. AMARANTHE does well with its three singers, and alongside their poppy electronic feel, it's what makes them so special.

Speaking of Elize Ryd, she is at her best and most varied on this album, with her typically fantastic rocker showing on songs like "Maximize" and "21", then to an almost soulful feel that took me completely by surprise at the beginning of "That Song". However she, along with Jake E, are at their absolute best on the completely gorgeous ballads, "Limitless". It is a perfect duet that reminded me of the song that first got me to pay attention to the band, "Amaranthine" from their debut self-titled album. Her range and power is fully realised in the album closer "Endlessly" which conveys more emotion from her than ever before. Jake E sounds great as usual, and as I mentioned it's great to see him stepping back up beside Elize instead of behind her. "Faster" is a great example of him being pushed to the front of the mix in the harmonies. Henrik puts on his best showing in "Fury" which is just as you'd expect from the song title. It's rough and heavy without ever losing the fun and catchy quality that AMARANTHE bring to their music.

The rest of the band is as great as usual, with no aspect of the musicianship ever falling flat or letting the rest down. The song writing is at its absolute best and most "single appropriate" with every song on the album somehow managing to stand out as a great song on its own. "That Song" is a perfect way to introduce anyone to the band, so for fans just getting in to any of the many genres that AMARANTHE fall in to, it's a great starting point. It's the sort of  song that should garner them some serious mainstream attention.

I know that I'm raving, but I'm struggling to find a way to be even slightly negative about "Maximalism" and honestly I can say that I have no complaints. It's an incredible album from an incredible band and a serious contender for album of the year, which in a year of great metal and rock releases, is a huge compliment.

AMARANTHE is the beautiful amalgamation of power metal, melodic death metal, pop, electronic, and metalcore, which at first glance shouldn't work, but honestly if you think it shouldn't work you clearly haven't heard AMARANTHE yet, and you should absolutely go and get "Maximalism" as soon as possible. It's heavy, it's fun, it's absolutely beautiful, and it really should not be overlooked.

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