THE DARK ELEMENT is yet another brainchild of the Finnish Jani Liimatainen (INSOMNIUM, ex-SONATA ARCTICA) crafthouse, however, unlike in previous acts where he had worked alongside with male vocalists, THE DARK ELEMENT features a female vocalist - one with the ex-NIGHTWISH mistress, Anette Olzon, fame. Together, this project is completed by the lucrative line-up of Jonas Kuhlberg (MYGRAIN) and Rolf Pilve (STRATOVARIUS), and features their melodic and sentimental sophomore record, "Songs The Night Sings".

"Songs The Night Sings" begins with the powerful single "Not Your Monster". This track, much like the majority of the catalogue on the album, is an immediate earworm. Jani's unique style of composition cannot be mistaken, and is virtually a recollection of all of his past works, while concurrently fitting the sound to Anette's vocals and style, resulting in a combination of Melodic Power and Symphonic Metal. In contrast to their self-titled debut record, the band opted to use an overall heavier sound, yet maintaining their soft, if not 'poppy' to-say, style. It can be generally said that this album is one of melancholy that is portrayed by positive, fast and up-beat composition. For example, in the fifth track, "Pills On My Pillow", the whole compositional aspect might seem rather disco-esque and virtually contrasting the lyrical theme.

What else cannot be mistaken on this record is Jani Liimatainen's rather sentimental and poetic songwriting, that usually circulate the theme of being left out and the attempts to cope in such conditions. Those who like to read in between the words in songs, would appreciate this record, as yet again, the lyrics on this album are a roller coaster of such emotions and sentiments. Aside of their balladic compositions, sixth and ninth tracks "To Whatever End" and "If I Had A Heart" are both formidable self-doubt centered tracks.

As a whole, THE DARK ELEMENT's "Songs The Night Sings" is a strong contender for the best sentimental and emotional record of the year. It does seem as if the Anette Olzon and Jani Liimatinen duo is working out, and, in fact, becoming more coherent. It is a record for those who miss emotional melodramatic lyrical themes to sought their teeth in, but still who want to sing along the majority, if not the whole, tracklist. It is a fantastic, bitterness-comprised record, that will not disappoint both those who have yet heard of this project, and the long-time fans of the genre and artists involved, such as myself.