APPARITION is a melodic metal band from the UK which traces its origins back to 1997 when bassist David Homer began working on a female vocal led metal outfit. Nine years later, in 2006, Fiona Creaby would join APPARITION as the vocalist. 2008 would see APPARITION's EP "Salvation" released. Fiona went on to leave the band for nearly five years before returning in 2014, joining band members Ashley Guest, David Kull, David Homer, and Amy Lewis.The band would work hard in the studio and on the stage for the next three years before being signed to Wormhole Death Records in 2017. Now, APPARITION releases "The Awakening" with twelve tracks celebrating twenty years of metal creation.

Dark, atmospheric, and symphonic are all words that I would use to describe the sound of APPARITION. Fiona's vocals are haunting and ethereal, sometimes clear, light, and angelic and at other times powerful, operatic, and brooding. Aside from glimmering vocal melodies and choral parts, there are a number of scorching guitar solos. APPARITION's music demonstrates the beauty that can exist in darkness with their metal-esque sound. There are lots of whispered vocals hinting at the things that hide, subdued in shadow.

The album leads in with the title track, which is actually just an atmospheric intro. "Hold Back the Night" is one of the heavier tracks on the album. The nightmarish track leads in with layered guitar and keyboards and Fiona's clear, sweet vocals over top add to the dark lullaby. A scathing guitar solo adds an interesting counter balance to the quieter tones. "Dames of Darkness" holds a sentiment to the band hailing back to the Dames of Darkness Festival in Bilston, England. The song starts off with a gentle dripping piano melody which swells into a catchy, melancholy melody.

"The Otherside" starts with a pensive sounding orchestral intro. The song builds up intensity as the guitar and drums join Fiona's ghostly soaring vocals. "Resonance" begins with a similar format; orchestral music met by a whisper "resonance," and then queue the rest of the band. The operatic swells in the vocals will leave you with goosebumps.A soft wind and thunderous drums accompany a somber piano melody on "The Night an Angel Dies." The song is the saga of an accused witch condemned to burn. The next track, "Eternity" has an interesting sound in the bass under another winding piano melody, almost like a heartbeat fading slowly as the soul makes its final voyage into the beyond.

The album takes another twist toward the heavier end of the spectrum with "Break the Chains" featuring harmonizing guitars and heavier drumming than the previous few tracks incorporated. The refrain brings another catchy vocal melody. An impressive guitar solo was a high point in the track.  "Twilight" brings another slow piano song coupled with earnest emotional vocals. The album comes to a close with "As Shadows Play", an atmospheric track, with dark undertones. Fans of melodic, operatic, and female vocals will likely connect with "The Awakening."  I enjoyed listening to the lyrics and the themes brought out in the subject matter. There are heavier moments, but overall the tone of the album is atmospheric and haunting.