Camera Silens

Forty Shades

Emerging onto the Scandinavian metal scene are the vibrant, FORTY SHADES. The band were formed […]
By Megan McMillan
March 5, 2015
Forty Shades - Camera Silens album cover

Emerging onto the Scandinavian metal scene are the vibrant, FORTY SHADES. The band were formed from ashes of NAGOR MAR, who played Symphonic metal in the same style as NIGHTWISH, but the band ended due to disagreements on musical direction. Forty Shades, however, have engraved a fresh take on the Melodic Death Core scene.

Their impressive debut, "Camera Silens" is a collection of confidently performed and well written songs that has a buzzing youthful energy. Swirling guitar melodies, big, dramatic vocals, ambient synthesizers and elegant classical sections are the basis of their sound. Throw in the occasional growling vocals and chunkier chord progression giving the music more of an edge. The piano and other orchestral elements sided with the rhythm guitar creates a cold tone and paints the colours of winter.

As soon as you here Tosse Balser's vocals that are comparable to Tobias Sammet's harmonic voice, you immediately think over melodramatic. For instance, the way each of the songs are structured with a build-up, rising tension before reaching the climax of the theatrical chorus's make the songs exiting and epic. The extensive use of piano enhance the other elements of music and brings the music down to earth with a touch of emotion. The album is all killer no filler. But the best songs include "Nightshade" that is entwined with haunting gothic melodies and "Seven Moons" which is comprised with a cascading rhythm, atmospheric orchestras and an epic chorus.

There's a strong sense of narrative throughout the album. It's structure is like a novel and separated into 12 chapters. With song titles like "Blood moon" and "Love Lane Princess" alongside the theatrical music, it perpetuates a sense of adventure and quest. In fact, if the album was entirely instrumental it could be the soundtrack to a video game. Particularly with the utterly modern synthesisers that contrast the more traditional side of the music.

Camera Silens is ultimately a strong debut from the Swiss Melodic Death Core group. Each song is solidly constructed with enough complexity in them to keep you interested and wanting more. The only downfall is that there is no real experimentation and every song has the same style. Regardless, their sound is unique to the scene and with modern updates they have made to the sub-genre they should stand out from the crowd.

8 / 10

Excellent

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"Camera Silens" Track-listing:

1. In a Darker Shade of Gloom
2. Pillars of Doom
3. Seven Moons
4. Heaven
5. Bloodmoon
6. Last escape
7. Black Winged Sun
8. Black Nightshade
9. Dark Flood
10. Purple Flame
11. Love Lane Princess
12. The End 

Forty Shades Lineup:

Tosse Balser - Vocals
Tobias Gut - Keys
Joel Brechbuhl - Bass
Raphael Crivelli - Guitar
Christian Wittwer - Drums
Lukas Mielniczuk - Guitar

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