Almost 3 years have pasted since the last SIRENIA release saw the light of the day in a form of an EP that came with the title Sirenian Shores. In 2007 the band from Norway returns with some line-up changes, a new record deal (with Nuclear Blast) and the third full-length release named Nine Destinies And A Downfall. Somewhere in 2001, Morten Veland decided to leave TRISTANIA due to musical differences and personal disagreements. In order to materialize his ideas about music he formed SIRENIA (it rhymes with TRISTANIA doesn't it?). Fortunately, he didn't try to reproduce the sound of TRISTANIA but he moved a little bit further inside the Gothic Rock territory without leaving behind his metal past.
Monika Pedersen (ex-SINPHONIA) is the latest addition in the band's line-up and is also the person who took Henriette Bordvik's place behind the microphone. For the record, Henriette left the band because she realized that SIRENIA is not giving her the right spirit to go on. Monika's voice is both dynamic and melodic fitting perfectly to the band's composing style. For descriptive purposes it can said that her voice is bringing to mind sweet Anneke van Giersbergen from THE GATHERING. The operatic vocals and symphonical elements enrich SIRENIA's music and eventually giving the album additional credit in favor of music diversity. The flawless sound production has created a crystal clear sound balancing power and melody.
The album comprises some classic Gothic Rock tunes like The Last Call, One By One and The Other Side that feature some interesting orchestrations that enhance the emotional atmosphere of the album. The keyboards and some electronic sounds join the guitars and create a solid rhythm section with some really catchy and groovy melodies. The best track of the album is called My Mind's Eye that has a great headbanging tempo with catchy guitar riffs and beautiful keyboard fills. Veland picks the microphone here and there like in the riff driven track   Sundown where he offers some deep growls or in the emotional Absent Without Leave where he chooses the clean voice. Veland uses both of his singing profiles in Seven Keys And Nine Doors where some PARADISE LOST (of the recent date) influences can be tracked down. The album closes with the depressive keyboard and violin melodies of Downfall and the slow tempo of the track Glades Of Summer where the classic guitar accompanies Monika's beautiful and warm voice. Once again the quality of the album proves that Veland's decision to quit TRISTANIA and form another band to satisfy his artistic needs worked in favor of all metalheads who are into this music genre and like having female voices in metal.