Operatic vocals are a difficult thing to slip into Metal convincingly. I can't really think of many bands that have pulled it off convincingly, but nonetheless, many try. I think you really just have to do it in the right context, not that there is any context I would find appropriate for those kinds of vocals.

Some bands get pretty close though, and VERISTI are definitely one of these bands. The Finnish Black Metallers have finally released their debut E.P, over 10 years after their first demo was put together. They have layered on the epic operatic vibes and built up a sound that could well become epic in its own right. The album opens with some very well polished Black Metal that feels like it could have been ripped from the still bleeding corpse of some ancient demon. The clean vocals are at first a nice addition to the ferocious pace and promise to be nothing more than a good accompaniment to the rest of the band.

As it becomes more apparent that the clean vocals are going to be the focus of the songs, it becomes slightly underwhelming, the overall feel of the album just becomes very "meh". This is the issue I have with operatic influences in Metal, they become the main focus of the songs and it overrides anything else coming to the forefront.

The vocals are very pretty though, and maybe it's just because I don't know what's being sung about, but it really falls flat of the epic scale I was hoping for at the album's outset. The screams and growls continue throughout, but they just don't have the gusto you need for an album like this. The second song, " Piru Riven Välissä", has some really strange compression issues that make it sound like one of the more Poppy offerings from ERIC PRYDZ. That's not a comparison I ever expected to make with Black Metal.

If you are a fan of bands like NIGHTWISH and want something a little heavier, then this is probably the right band for you. Also, if you feel like maybe DIMMU BORGIR would just sound better if SARAH CONNOLLY was their front-woman, then VERISTI is the band for you.<