I was feeling a bit down lately. Blame it on my steady diet of Atmospheric Black Metal, or just a naturally dark disposition. Sensing a possible long stay on the dark side, I selected ANETTE OLZON’s latest album, “Rapture,” to review this week for Metal Temple, hoping it would inject me with a heavy dose dopamine, hope, and pure unicorn blood. I figured if 11 tracks spinning out over 52 minutes of Symphonic Metal from one of the Queens of Female-fronted Metal couldn’t revive me, then nothing could. Spoiler alert, mission accomplished.

Released on May 10 via Frontiers Records, “Rapture” is the third full-length studio album by ANETTE OLZON. For fans of Symphonic, this album has everything. From ginormous orchestral swells to smooth but heavy riffs to plenty of hooks, melody, and harmony. It is heavy without being demonic and refined without being false. The presence of secondary harsh vocals and the relentless thrum of distorted riffs ensure the album stays on the Metal side of the spectrum, steering away from Olzon’s sometimes Pop leanings. It is perhaps her heaviest solo album to date.

The album inverts the typical Symph Metal formula of 90% ballad, 10% heavy—that is 90% viscera, 10% gooey. Amongst the 10 heavy tracks of the album, there is just one tear-rending ballad, “Hear My Song.” Shocker. But, of course, it is emotive as hell and will make you fall in love with Anette and vow your never-ending devotion. So fairly potent.

Thematically, the album is about overcoming adversity of all types—environmental, social, political, self-inflicted, outwardly imposed. Lyrically, each song is rich with narratives, punchy choruses, and even a choir or two. Just a shit ton of inspiration, this album.

Standout tracks are many. My top three are “Rapture,” “Take a Stand,” and “Greedy World.” And here’s the thing, as preachy and didactic as those titles sound, the execution defies expectations. When you weave in gorgeous solos, harsh and clean vocals, and haunting chorales, the songs elevate from potentially trite to unexpectedly epic.

Eleven tracks and 52 minutes later I am out of my funk and ready to take on the world. I’m sure my demons will eventually return, but as a Metalhead I kind of dig my demons, so no real problem there. ANETTE OLZON. “Rapture.” A sure-fire win. Check this album out and fall in love with Symphonic Metal all over again.